Seventy-one new recruits have been sworn into the ranks of Corrective Services NSW during a graduation ceremony at CSNSW Academy in Sydney’s north-west.
The graduates will join the 11,600-strong corrections workforce and be placed at prisons, courts and community corrections offices statewide, including important regional outposts and within bustling metropolitan hubs.
CSNSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM said he was thrilled to welcome the new recruits, who will embark on a rewarding career keeping our communities safe.
“We’re committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. These recruits bring with them a rich range of backgrounds, skills, cultures, perspectives and lived experiences that will strengthen our organisation and the important work we do every day,” Commissioner McCahon said.
“The diversity of our workforce is one of our greatest strengths. People who have worked across different industries, lived in different communities and experienced different life journeys bring valuable insight, empathy and problem-solving skills to their roles.
“I thank them for choosing CSNSW, congratulate them on this wonderful achievement, and wish them all the very best on their exciting path ahead.”
Among the graduating class are a former chef, disability support worker, carpenter, construction worker, sterilisation specialist, airport worker, and even a zookeeper. The varied backgrounds of the graduates highlights the commitment to diversity and inclusion of CSNSW.
CSNSW custodial recruits complete 12-weeks of paid intensive training at the Academy to attain their Certificate III in Correctional Practice. This training covers theoretical components including legislation and policy, as well as the practical application of the work skills required in the custodial environment.
“This cohort of graduates will now work as correctional officers, and overseers with trades backgrounds, managing, rehabilitating and upskilling offenders to support better lives and, ultimately, a safer community for all of us,” Commissioner McCahon said.
“They’ve been exposed to extensive drills and scenarios in simulated operational environments, learned communication techniques for conflict resolution and appropriate de-escalation techniques, and have been trained for emergency responses.
“CSNSW commonly attracts recruitment candidates from interstate, which is testimony to the calibre of training we provide, and the career opportunities that arise from working for the largest correctional jurisdiction in Australia.”
The new recruits, including a mix of casual and ongoing officers and overseers, will fulfil positions per the following locations:
Custodial
- Tamworth Correctional Centre
- Long Bay Correctional Complex
- Silverwater Correctional Complex
- Bathurst Correctional Centre
- Lithgow Correctional Centre
- Macquarie Correctional Centre
- Junee Correctional Centre
- Silverwater & Long Bay Medical Escort Units
Prison industries
- St Heliers Correctional Centre
- South Coast Correctional Centre
- Francis Greenway Correctional Complex
- Silverwater Correctional Complex
- Wellington Correctional Centre
Courts
- Queanbeyan Court Cells
- Batemans Bay Court Cells
- Wollongong Court Cells
- Surry Hills Court Cells
- Newcastle Court Cells
In addition to the graduating class of 71 custodial officers, 23 Community Corrections Officers were recognised for attaining a Certificate IV in Correctional Practice, which takes 12 months to complete.
The certificate provides the skills and knowledge required to work at a Community Corrections office and to commence supervising offenders in the community.
Interested in working for CSNSW? Take a look at our job listings on the I work for NSW job board.
Find out more about Careers at CSNSW.
