Staff shortages

For months the POVB has been telling CSNSW that it is critically short of staff and that our members are close to burning out. CSNSW has acknowledged these shortages and has committed to recruiting a large number of staff in the coming months ,as well as providing casual-to-ongoing roles to staff in the talent pool.

In February, CSNSW will be conducting interviews for the approximately 300-350 casual staff who have applied for the casual-to-ongoing pool.

Next week, CSNSW will commence a recruitment campaign in the community for Correctional Officer roles. The advertising will initially be to raise awareness and interest in the community, with specific locations to be advertised soon after.

CSNSW has committed to consulting with the PSA as soon as it has more specific detail.  We will keep the membership updated.

Self-isolation requirements

In the general community, people are now legally required to self-isolate for seven days. However, CSNSW, as a high-risk location has added an additional three-day self-isolation requirement, bringing the total period of self-isolation to 10 days.

Following discussions with the PSA, CSNSW has agreed the additional three days will be special leave, provided the person isolating is not sick or positive to COVID at that time.

CSNSW will be releasing an information brochure with more information in the next couple of days.

Temporary closures of centres

CSNSW has identified a strategy whereby it may close certain centres to provide staffing to critically short areas. CSNSW has assured the PSA that any closures of centres will be temporary and there are no plans to close any centre permanently.

There were initially plans to enact these closures. However, those plans were put on hold by the Minister, who is enacting other strategies to reduce critical staff shortages.

On Monday, a meeting will take place at Emu Plains CC, which will be attended by a member of the POVB State Executive.

We will keep the membership updated.