KEY FACTS:

• Oct 2014 The Prison Officers Vocational branch of the Public Service Association of NSW begins spearheading push to get an Australian Corrections Medal – recognising the service, conduct and risks to which those working in our jails and remand centres are exposed.

• Around 4,000 NSW Prison Officers.

• Only sworn officers will receive this award.

• Australian honours system has specific bravery medals recognising police, fire, ambulance and emergency services, but not Correctional Services officers, despite them facing similar dangers.

• Nov 2014 spreads to a national push.

• PSA proposal has support of all State and Territorial Ministers responsible for correctional services.

• Steve McMahon Chairman of the Prison Officers Vocational Branch of the PSA met with Christian Porter MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

• Mar 2015 Prime Minister Tony Abbott endorses the proposal. In a letter to Premier Mike Baird, 27 March 2015, he stated:

“The Australian Government strongly supports recognition for members of the community who risk their lives or safety to protect or assist others in the community.”

     “…like police, fire, ambulance and emergency services officers, correctional services officers are exposed to risk to their safety in the course of their work.”

• Request now with The Queen’s protocol office.

• PSA Prison Officers Vocational Branch Chairman Steve McMahon says the overcrowding is placing the system under enormous stress.

• “100% of people prison officers deal with have the potential to be violent,” Mr McMahon said.

• “The risks are increasing with the ice epidemic and terrorist threats creating more violent, potentially deadly offenders.”

• “In some gaols, it’s not uncommon for 20 prison officers to be on duty to supervise more than 300 inmates.”

• A medal may seem like a small thing to some but is significant recognition of the vital role performed by Correctional Officers in the most relentlessly dangerous workplaces in the country.”

CONTACT: Steve McMahon, PSA Prison Officers Vocational Branch Chair.

MEDIA: Ali Donaldson, Mountain Media.