National Corrections Day will be marked in the Dubbo region today, celebrating the 10,000 correctional staff in NSW – and the 25,000 frontline officers across Australia – who work tirelessly rehabilitating offenders and keeping the community safe.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the day is a chance to thank correctional staff, who play a vital role in keeping the community safe at Community Corrections offices and at Wellington and Macquarie Correctional Centres.
“Today we acknowledge the hardworking corrections officers in our region who strive to engage, educate and rehabilitate offenders for the benefit of the community,” Dugald Saunders MP said.
“They should be commended for their bravery, dedication and commitment to their work, which mostly goes unnoticed because it happens behind the walls of prisons or Community Corrections offices.
“Late last year I had the chance to take the Minister for Corrections Anthony Roberts for a tour of the Macquarie facility and we saw firsthand the work that is being done by staff to work with the inmates to achieve some wonderful outcomes.”
Corrective Services NSW staff will mark the day by holding morning teas and barbecues, and raising funds for chosen charities, including NSW Rural Fire Service, Australian Red Cross and the NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES).
Minister for Corrections Anthony Roberts said the We Are Family theme for this year’s National Corrections Day focuses on the camaraderie of CSNSW staff and their ability to work together to meet the challenges of the job.
“Corrections staff should be applauded for their ability to band together and support one another to resolve often challenging and volatile situations,” Mr Roberts said.
“These brave men and women go about their work with the utmost professionalism, and deserve to be praised for their strong work ethic and commitment to reducing reoffending.” CSNSW employs 10,000 staff across the state, including custodial officers, security and intelligence officers, industry overseers, inmate services and programs staff, psychologists and Community Corrections officers.