The Department of Justice has announced the latest graduates from the Corrective Services’ Youth Custodial Officer Entry Level Training Program.
A former firefighter, ex-police officer and delivery driver are among the 21 graduates from Perth, regional Western Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and even Venezuela.
Commissioner for Corrective Services, Mike Reynolds said young people came into the Agency’s care from all kinds of backgrounds and, by recruiting people who had different lived experiences, it was hoped each young person would be able to form a rapport with staff members.
“Those positive relationships are the key in the rehabilitative journey,” Commissioner Reynolds said.
He said many of the new officers had previous experience working with young people.
Commissioner Reynolds gave the example of one graduate, Brodie, who was working with adults at Acacia Prison as a Prison Officer before he decided he wanted to make the shift.
“I wanted to be able to be more interactive and to really get a chance to help the boys and girls turn their lives around,” Brodie said.
The graduates will step into their new roles at the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre, which caters for offenders aged 10 to 18 years, with some older.
The Centre is located at Canning Vale, south of Perth.
