Corrective services NSW has welcomed 21 new correctional officers to its ranks following a 10-week training course.
Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW, Peter Severin said the group of 13 men and eight women were ceremonially sworn in at an attestation parade at Bathurst’s Charles Sturt University.
“The ceremony was held on the university grounds while construction works for a 220-bed expansion take place at Bathurst Correctional Centre,” Mr Severin said.
“Congratulations to our new recruits.”
Mr Severein said regional prisons across the state would be boosted by the 21 new correctional officers.
“It’s also great to see that once the expanded Bathurst prison is up and running next year, there will be 65 new local jobs available.”
Assistant Commissioner of Governance and Continuous Improvement, Carlo Scasserra said the trainees participated in vigorous drills to prepare for situations they may face in a prison.
“Along with lessons in theory, the recruits conducted contraband searches with the Bathurst Immediate Action Team and undertook emergency response training with the specialised Security Operations Group,” Mr Scasserra said.
“It’s great that we can offer training in regional areas and I thank all the trainers who have provided guidance.”
He said the officers would now undertake 12 months of on-the-job assessment to attain their Certificate III in Correctional Practice at Broken Hill, Macquarie, Goulburn, Bathurst and Tamworth correctional centres.
