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<strong>Corrections</strong> NEWS<br />
Leaders in corrections: Partners<br />
in criminal and social justice<br />
Inside<br />
<strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
North <strong>Queensland</strong> Custodial graduations<br />
16th Work Program Conference<br />
Playgroup celebrates 10 years<br />
QCS Excellence Awards<br />
Leadership Framework<br />
Literacy & numeracy
Contents<br />
Message from the Minister...4 Playgroup celebrates 10 years at Brisbane Women’s CC....5 Message from the Director-General...6<br />
Leadership Framework...7 Work Program Conference...8–9 Brisbane Correctional Centre...10 Arthur Gorrie graduation...11 QCS Excellence<br />
Awards...12–13 Lotus Glen and Townsville graduations...14–15 advance2work...18 Perspectives…19 Fast news…19–20<br />
Front cover: Clockwise from top left, Intelligence training at the QCS Academy; The Brisbane CC management team; Graduation ceremony at Townsville CC<br />
Offender Intervention Programs Manager Melissa Braden, from left to right, Inclusion<br />
Program team members Trudi Avery, Christine Tunbridge (seated) and Michael Thomsen<br />
Deadline:<br />
CORRECTIONS <strong>News</strong> is published monthly by <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> for its staff and stakeholders.<br />
The next issue will be distributed on September 12. Deadline for contributions is <strong>August</strong> 28.<br />
Please send material to the Media and Communications Unit, GPO Box 1054, Brisbane, 4001 or media@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au.<br />
The unit reserves the right to edit contributions.<br />
Photographs should be black and white or colour prints, or high quality digital images.<br />
If you are photographed for <strong>Corrections</strong> <strong>News</strong>, you will be required to consent to the use of your personal information in accordance with the <strong>Queensland</strong> Government’s Information<br />
Privacy Standard 42. The information privacy principles contained within this Standard govern the collection, use, storage, security, and disclosure of personal information. Consent<br />
forms are available on the Intranet or from media unit staff.<br />
Contacts:<br />
Editor Peter O’Halloran phone 3405 5391 Peter.O’Hall0ran@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au<br />
Contributors Brad Muir phone 3405 5392 Bradley.Muir@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au; Carly Wood phone 3405 5386 Carly.Wood@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au;<br />
Vanessa Young phone 3405 5390 Vanessa.Young@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au Sharna Liddle phone 3405 5387 Sharna.Liddle@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au<br />
Electronic versions of <strong>Corrections</strong> <strong>News</strong> are available to QCS staff via the Intranet or to the general public via the Internet at www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au. Please advise the Media<br />
and Communications Unit at media@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au if you would prefer a monthly electrionic reminder directing you to the online version.<br />
Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong>. No article may be produced in full or in part without the permission of the Editor.<br />
Page 2 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
Improved programs for<br />
intellectually disabled prisoners<br />
Sexual offenders with low cognitive skills can more easily access a<br />
quality rehabilitation program to address their risk of re-offending<br />
following the start of a new program in early July at Wolston Correctional<br />
Centre.<br />
The Inclusion Sexual Offending Program incorporates empirically<br />
grounded methods, materials and processes to deliver effective<br />
rehabilitation to intellectually disabled prisoners.<br />
Sex Offender Program Unit (SOPU) Manager Melissa Braden said<br />
there were high levels of repetition and exposure to core concepts<br />
throughout the program.<br />
“We use simple language, graphics and pictures to communicate<br />
messages,” she said.<br />
“Research shows this helps offenders to integrate and consolidate<br />
their behaviour strategies.”<br />
SOPU Team Leader Christine Tunbridge compiled the program manuals<br />
and has earned high praise from Professor Bill Marshall – the world’s<br />
leading authority on treatment of sex offenders.<br />
“It is easily the best treatment manual of its kind I have ever read,”<br />
Professor Marshall said.<br />
He was so impressed, he said he will adopt portions of the manual to<br />
use in Canada’s correctional centres.<br />
Christine said the prisoners were highly motivated and had been<br />
looking forward to the program.<br />
“As program facilitators, we don’t see disabilities, but rather offenders<br />
with different learning styles,” she said.<br />
“To succeed, we need to meet them at their level.”<br />
Christine said these prisoners also had poor social abilities and could<br />
be difficult to manage within the broader prison population.<br />
“We hope to see improvements in their institutional behaviour as<br />
well,” she said.<br />
The program will operate twice weekly and is expected to run for six<br />
months.
Left to right, Wolston Correctional Centre Education Officer Beatrice Gould, TAFE lecturer Lynne Pantaur, WCC education officers Rekha Pandya and Roberta Embrey<br />
and TAFE lecturer Peter Burgess in a literacy and numeracy classroom<br />
Storytelling lifts literacy<br />
Prisoners with poor English language skills are breaking down<br />
barriers to further literacy by sharing stories about their diverse<br />
cultural backgrounds.<br />
The innovative activity was developed by education staff at<br />
Wolston Correctional Centre as a way of encouraging prisoners<br />
to use English and, in turn, reap greater benefits from their<br />
literacy classes.<br />
The centre’s prisoner population is drawn from about 30<br />
countries and some prisoners struggle with education and<br />
rehabilitation programs, which are primarily English language<br />
based.<br />
WCC Education Officer Rekha Pandya said it was a simple way<br />
to get prisoners engaged in writing and speaking English.<br />
“We also use computer-based activities, but this new method<br />
is more direct and the benefits are immediate,” she said.<br />
“Prisoners have a wealth of stories to tell, so each day our TAFE<br />
teachers get a different prisoner to present his individual story<br />
using written and oral skills,” she said.<br />
“Other prisoners, who work as tutors, help them to develop<br />
their presentations. The prisoners’ English speaking skills<br />
have improved and they now engage in lively classroom<br />
discussions. They’ve also learnt how to prepare reports and<br />
essays,” Rekha said.<br />
Offender Programs and <strong>Services</strong> Executive Director Di Taylor<br />
said it was another good example of how education staff<br />
think outside-the-square to meet daily challenges in the<br />
rehabilitation process.<br />
“They have turned what at first appeared an obstacle to<br />
learning, into success,” she said.<br />
“Exposure to other customs and cultures is also making<br />
students more understanding and tolerant of the various<br />
nationalities in prison. This benefits prisoners and staff,” Di said.<br />
The pressure is now on Rekha to tell her story as part of the<br />
ongoing activity. Rekha was born in India, spent many years<br />
working with minority groups in Zambia and no doubt has<br />
much to share.<br />
Woodford water tank partners announced<br />
Two companies will work with Woodford Correctional Centre to manufacture water tanks.<br />
Early last month, Minister for Police and <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Judy Spence announced that two companies, Linpac<br />
Rotational Mouldings and Slimline Rainwater Tanks, were the successful tenderers.<br />
Linpac will manufacture polyethylene water tanks at the prison while Slimline will manufacture metal water tanks. Six<br />
industry workshops will be used for both manufacturing operations.<br />
Ms Spence said both companies propose to make more tanks than the government’s original proposal of 50 tanks<br />
per week and will employ and train around 95 prisoners each day.<br />
“Working with prisoners these companies propose to manufacture a total of up to more than 330 water tanks per<br />
week once fully operational. Water tank manufacturers have told us there is a massive skillls shortage in the industry<br />
and this project will give prisoners vital skills they can use when they leave prison,” Ms Spence said.<br />
The first tanks are expected to start rolling off the production line late this year.<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 3
Page 4 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
FOCAL POINTS<br />
with Minister Judy Spence<br />
Conserving water in<br />
correctional centres<br />
In recent months there has been much discussion about water<br />
use in <strong>Queensland</strong> prisons.<br />
I recently took the opportunity to take a large media contingent<br />
through Wolston Correctional Centre, to set the record<br />
straight.<br />
It was my intention to show the public, through the media, the<br />
impressive efforts of staff and prisoners to conserve water in<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> correctional facilities.<br />
I was extremely impressed to see and hear from the custodial<br />
officers, just how far staff and prisoners have gone to ensure<br />
water is not wasted at Wolston.<br />
It was very productive to be able to demonstrate to the media,<br />
how water restrictions are enforced and encouraged in the<br />
State’s prisons.<br />
During our visit, General Manager Scott Collins explained that<br />
most prisoners were in fact showing a strong commitment to<br />
saving water and had even come up with some new measures<br />
themselves.<br />
I commend the staff at Wolston for encouraging and facilitating<br />
these initiatives, together with the restrictions set up by the<br />
Beattie Government.<br />
The centre, together with the neighbouring Brisbane Women’s<br />
Correctional Centre, has reduced its water consumption by 25<br />
per cent in the last financial year, from 80 mega litres to 60<br />
mega litres.<br />
In facilities that in many ways are like a small town – housing<br />
major industry warehouses, large kitchens, educational<br />
centres, staff, and of course a large number of prisoners – this<br />
is a fantastic result.<br />
Prisoners at both centres have reduced the amount of water<br />
used daily by more than 50 litres per prisoner.<br />
I encourage staff at the Wacol precinct to continue in their goal of<br />
a further 25 per cent reduction in water use this financial year.<br />
The Beattie Government, together with <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>, is working hard to reduce the impact of the drought.<br />
Each prison in south-east <strong>Queensland</strong> has a Water Efficiency<br />
Management Plan and corrective services officers monitor this<br />
policy.<br />
I appreciate that prisoners are not monitored during the 12<br />
hours they are locked down, but prisoners caught over-using<br />
showers can be breached and punishments can include a loss<br />
of privileges or being moved to a more restrictive part of the<br />
prison.<br />
These shower restrictions save up to 35 megalitres a year<br />
which is a 10 per cent saving and the equivalent of more than<br />
15 Olympic swimming pools.<br />
Through the use of grey water, reduced shower times, water<br />
efficient fittings and staff and prisoner vigilance, <strong>Queensland</strong><br />
<strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> can continue to lead the way when it comes<br />
to conserving the State’s most precious resource.<br />
Warwick Women’s camp<br />
Warwick Women’s Work camp hosted an information session<br />
at the camp’s headquarters recently, which was attended by<br />
95 representatives from local community organisations.<br />
The group included community service supervisors from 22<br />
organisations from within the Warwick Shire.<br />
This was the annual Warwick Shire Supervisors Course which<br />
is held every year to inform project supervisors on the latest<br />
procedural changes and workplace health and safety issues.<br />
The community supervisors were also informed about issues<br />
relating to working with prisoners.<br />
The day gave project supervisors the opportunity to update<br />
their criminal history checks.<br />
Last year, the camp performed 12,360 hours work on 10<br />
projects.<br />
This included about 120 hours over a 10-day period at the<br />
World Cup Polo Crosse Event held at Morgan Park in April.<br />
Helena Jones Correctional Centre Manager Julie Steinheuer<br />
said the annual information session was a great opportunity<br />
for QCS staff and community representatives to get together<br />
and discuss areas of common interest that are beneficial to the<br />
projects in their area.<br />
Local police, shire councillors and members of the Warwick<br />
Community Advisory Committee (CAC) also attended the<br />
session.<br />
A morning tea and light lunch was prepared and served by<br />
offenders.<br />
Julie said the information session was a great success.<br />
“We had positive feedback from members of the community<br />
and we started planning new projects and established many<br />
new contacts.”<br />
At the information session, from left, Warwick Women’s Work Camp Field<br />
Supervisor Rona Frankcombe, BWCC General Manager Lidia Pennington, CAC<br />
members Sue Fox, Cathy Brosnan, Sergeant Andrew Grafton and Helana Jones<br />
Manager Julie Steinheuer<br />
President of the Warwick Rugby Union Club, CAC member and local Police Sergeant<br />
Andrew Grafton, Field Officer Suzette Burton-Wright and Acting Inspector Mike<br />
Curtain with a sign refurbished by prisoners<br />
Photo courtesy of the Warwick Daily <strong>News</strong>
Save the Children Playgroup founders Kate<br />
Ellis, left, and Pam Dunn with their gift from<br />
BWCC’s Playgroup<br />
Ten years of productive fun for Playgroup<br />
A program that bring mums and their children together to<br />
play at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre (BWCC) has<br />
celebrated 10 years of success.<br />
About 800 children have attended the Playgroup Program<br />
since it was started at the old BWCC, adjacent to Boggo Road<br />
Gaol, in 1997 by Kate Ellis and Pam Dunn.<br />
The pair operates the Save the Children Mobile Playscheme and<br />
have worked tirelessly over the past decade bringing mothers<br />
and their children together for structured play and activities.<br />
Children are brought together by the program to enjoy<br />
playing, singing, healthy eating, storybook reading and other<br />
activities.<br />
BWCC Counsellor Robyn Ernst said it also strengthens<br />
the mother-child bond, which encourages mothers to act<br />
protectively towards their children.<br />
“The mothers also build appropriate parenting skills which<br />
they can use when released from custody,” she said.<br />
“It involves learning how to respond appropriately towards<br />
children, including how to play and enjoy your child.<br />
“Mothers become more confident and are better prepared to<br />
handle the responsibilities and demands of motherhood when<br />
they rejoin their families in the community.<br />
“Playgroup is also an opportunity for children living within<br />
BWCC to mix with children from the community,” Robyn said.<br />
Minister for Police and <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Judy Spence joined<br />
volunteers, centre staff, external agencies, and mums and kids<br />
for a morning tea to celebrate the anniversary.<br />
Minister Judy Spence at the<br />
10th anniversary celebration<br />
She praised the program and thanked all those who have<br />
contributed to its success.<br />
“Playgroup provides mothers with a safe, drug-free environment<br />
where they can spend time with their children, learn parenting<br />
skills and develop a family bond,” she said.<br />
BWCC General Manager Lidia Pennington said a child health<br />
professional from <strong>Queensland</strong> Health attended Playgroup<br />
fortnightly and monitored the health and development of<br />
children accommodated at the centre in a friendly, noninvasive<br />
way.<br />
“This also helps mothers to become more aware of their child’s<br />
developmental milestones,” she said.<br />
“Child Safety workers also attend Playgroup with children who<br />
are in-care within the community.”<br />
Currently, eight BWCC offenders and their children attend<br />
Playgroup, along with an average of 12 children who come into<br />
the centre to visit their mums.<br />
The program has been supported by donations of toys and<br />
equipment from community groups such as the Zonta Club of<br />
Brisbane.<br />
The donations have helped establish the Cassandra Weddell<br />
Memorial Library, which gives parents and children access to<br />
high quality children’s literature.<br />
Women and their children have lived together in custody in<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> from as early as 1829.<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 5
Our future leaders<br />
Page 6 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
From the<br />
DG’s desk<br />
with Director-General<br />
Frank Rockett<br />
The future of any organisation depends on its ability to continually<br />
develop its leadership ranks. We recognise the importance of<br />
investing in staff and leadership training as a critical step in building<br />
our future.<br />
This investment was further identified in the Review for managing the<br />
learning and development needs in <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong>.<br />
Information and comment provided to the review pointed to the need<br />
for a leadership framework and an expanded suite of programs and<br />
activities for developing potential leaders and managers within QCS.<br />
A draft suite of programs and activities has been developed and is<br />
available on the intranet for comment.<br />
The proposed leadership framework identified five leadership<br />
qualities. Our leaders should be:<br />
• outcome focussed<br />
• have personal drive and integrity<br />
• be strategic thinkers<br />
• have productive working relationships, and<br />
• should communicate with influence<br />
The proposed suite of programs will provide opportunities for<br />
employees on a broad range of classification levels. They will be rolled<br />
out over the current financial year. Leaders are found in all areas and<br />
all regions, so most of the activities will be available Statewide. For<br />
practical reasons, the large group-based programs will continue to be<br />
run in Brisbane.<br />
The programs will cover area such as:<br />
• induction for new employees and for newly promoted officers<br />
• information and activity sessions for aspiring leaders<br />
• programs for emerging supervisors and for general managers<br />
• programs to support officers within management positions<br />
• executive development programs<br />
A number of the programs will deliver nationally-recognised industry<br />
qualifications at Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level.<br />
We are planning for the full suite of programs to be rolled-out<br />
progressively over the next 12 months. It will commence with an<br />
updated Induction program being available by the end September<br />
this year.<br />
While many of the programs’ presenters will be QCS employees,<br />
experienced leaders and managers from outside of the Agency will<br />
also participate.<br />
The proposed suite of activities also recognises that not all leadership<br />
and management development is related to a course. Opportunities<br />
to undertake project work, work shadowing, mentoring, and engaging<br />
with other jurisdictions also needs to be developed.<br />
The QCS Academy is responsible for the overall development and<br />
delivery of the programs. The final suite of programs will be the most<br />
extensive range within an Australian correctional jurisdiction.<br />
Community Advisory Committee members, from left, Kevin Schneidewin, Robyn<br />
Hale, Narelle Herzig, Geoff Kent and John Westwood<br />
Prison industries beautify local parks<br />
Prisoners from Wolston Correctional Centre are giving back to<br />
the community with 16 park benches built for the Jindalee area.<br />
The construction of the park benches was a collaboration<br />
between the Wolston and Brisbane Women’s Correctional<br />
Centres Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Brisbane City<br />
Council and Wolston Correctional Centre (WCC).<br />
Each bench was made with materials funded by Brisbane City<br />
Council and built by prisoners at the WCC Industries workshop.<br />
CAC Chair John Westwood said the park benches project was part<br />
of the CAC’s Building Bridges program, which aims to cement<br />
relationships between the community and correctional centres.<br />
“Local Rotary and Bushcare organisations have been<br />
progressively installing the benches in public areas and parks,<br />
where they can be used by the community,” he said.<br />
“Building Bridges projects are non-commercial and noncompetitive<br />
to local industry.<br />
“We aim to give back to the community by filling a need without<br />
competing with other businesses,” John said.<br />
WCC Industries Manager Ross Copland said the process of taking<br />
the CAC’s design, making modifications, building a prototype<br />
and producing the 16 benches was enthusiastically embraced<br />
by the trade instructors and prisoners.<br />
“The instructors and offenders wanted to make sure the finished<br />
product was both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to sit<br />
in,” he said.<br />
“The park benches were manufactured in the engineering and<br />
coating workshops.”<br />
Minister for Police and <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Judy Spence unveiled<br />
a plaque dedicating the benches to the community at a ceremony<br />
at Wolston Creek recently.<br />
Representatives from the CAC, Sumner Park Rotary Club, Brisbane<br />
City Council and <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> attended.<br />
The park benches are installed at Wolston Creek, Neighbour<br />
Street Park, Coucal Track, Mt Ommaney Park, Mt Ommaney<br />
Walkway, Nosworthy Park, Cliveden Avenue Park and Blackheath<br />
Road Park.
QCS Leadership Framework<br />
Developing tomorrow’s leaders today<br />
There will be a stronger emphasis on equipping staff at all levels of <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> with the knowledge and skills to be future leaders following the formation of a<br />
Leadership Framework.<br />
QCS staff will have better training programs and more opportunities to train under the<br />
framework.<br />
QCS Academy Executive Director Alan Butler said the revamp of training follows<br />
recommendations contained in recent reviews of the Agency and its training needs.<br />
“Well trained leaders are essential for our future,” Alan said.<br />
“We need a structure that will help identify and develop potential leaders.<br />
“The framework does that by setting out what is required and expected of leaders at all levels<br />
and follows up with a suite of programs to reinforce and develop those core skills.<br />
“Staff will be able to compare their current skills and behaviours with a profile of what is<br />
required of a leader in their area,” he said.<br />
“They can then give consideration to planning their training from there.”<br />
The revamped training packages are a combination of effective existing programs and new<br />
ones.<br />
“Most of the programs and training activities will target a specific staff classification level<br />
within corrections,” Alan said.<br />
“The programs will flow sequentially from induction through to executive management.”<br />
The training will be available for custodial, Probation and Parole and central office staff.<br />
Applicants will require their supervisor’s support to enrol.<br />
Some components, like the Induction program, can be completed online by staff in their<br />
workplaces.<br />
Others, like the Aspiring Leaders program, will be delivered to individuals or small groups,<br />
including at regional locations.<br />
Large group-based activities will continue to be conducted at the Academy in Brisbane, although<br />
the Academy is endeavouring to provide programs such as the Early Manager’s Program in a<br />
regional location each year also.<br />
All training, irrespective of the location, will be directly linked to the Academy under the new<br />
Leadership Framework.<br />
The Academy will progressively roll out the suite of programs and activities during this financial<br />
year.<br />
The proposed timeline for the expanded suite of programs is;<br />
• Executives Program by October 2007<br />
• Newly Promoted Officer program by November 2007<br />
• Emerging Supervisor Program by February 2008<br />
• Career Development Program by March 2008<br />
• the Aspiring Leaders Program by June 2008<br />
• two Manager programs by February 2008<br />
Further information about course options is available on the intranet in the Training area of the<br />
Support pages.<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 7
Keith Allen’s contribution<br />
to Clermont Work Camp<br />
recognised<br />
Long-serving Work Program Field<br />
Supervisor Keith Allen was presented<br />
with a Certificate of Appreciation by<br />
Director-General Frank Rockett following<br />
the Work Program Conference.<br />
Mr Rockett travelled to Claremont to<br />
visit Keith, who is in hospital battling<br />
illness.<br />
Keith started his career in corrections<br />
as an Honorary Community <strong>Corrections</strong><br />
Officer in Clermont during the late<br />
1980s.<br />
He later took up a paid role as a Work<br />
Program Field Officer, not long after the<br />
Clermont Work Camp opened in 1992.<br />
While Keith has a long history of<br />
volunteer work for his local community,<br />
he says he earned a living changing<br />
tyres.<br />
“So when the job came up with<br />
corrections, I thought I could do what I<br />
love and get paid for it,” Keith said.<br />
He has continued to work with offenders<br />
at Claremont since and looks forward<br />
to racking-up 15 years’ service this<br />
November.<br />
Mr Rockett said Keith’s commitment to<br />
his community was a great match with<br />
the Work Program’s intentions.<br />
“When you look around this region,<br />
you see community facilities, tourist<br />
attractions and other projects that Keith<br />
and the Work Camp have helped build<br />
and maintain,” Mr Rockett said.<br />
“Keith’s made a great contribution to<br />
his community and the camp.”<br />
Capricornia Correctional Centre officer Peter Bont,<br />
left, and DG Frank Rockett, right, visit Clermont Work<br />
Program stalwart Keith Allen in hospital<br />
Page 8 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
Work Program<br />
Winton hosts<br />
Conference delegates, including Community Advisory Committee members, during their inspection of Winton Work Camp<br />
Capricornia Correctional Centre GM<br />
Steve Green, left, presents Blackall<br />
Mayor Les Wheelhouse with the award<br />
for Most Effective Single Maintenance<br />
Project<br />
QCS currently operates 11 Work Program camps<br />
Left to right, McKinley Shire’s Steve Fleming and Tim<br />
Volmer with Julia Creek Work Camp Field Supervisor<br />
Kevin Maude<br />
Left to right, DG Frank Rockett, Belyando Shire<br />
Community Advisory Committee Chair Malcolm Pidgeon<br />
and Townsville Correctional Centre GM Steve Green<br />
• Darling Downs Correctional Centre manages Mitchell, Dirranbandi,<br />
Charleville and St George camps<br />
• Capricornia Correctional Centre at Rockhampton manages Clermont,<br />
Blackall and Springsure camps<br />
• Townsville Correctional Centre manages Boulia, Julia Creek and<br />
Winton camps<br />
• Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre manages Warwick Women’s<br />
camp
16th Annual Work Program Awards<br />
The Work Program annual conference reviewed the past year and planned for the future<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> (QCS) Director-General Frank Rockett<br />
announced this year’s winners of the Work Camp Awards during the<br />
16th Annual Work Program Conference in Winton earlier this month.<br />
The conference was hosted by Winton Shire Council and attended by<br />
shire councillors and Community Advisory Committee members from<br />
around the State and senior QCS staff.<br />
The two-day meeting included a tour of Winton Work Camp, inspection<br />
of work completed by offenders, a formal reporting and planning<br />
session and the awards dinner.<br />
Mr Rockett said Work camps contributed more than 134,700 hours of<br />
labour valued at more than $2 million to community service projects<br />
last year.<br />
“Work camps are a valuable resource for the communities they serve<br />
and play an important part in offender rehabilitation,” Mr Rockett<br />
said.<br />
Mr Rockett also spoke about Work camps playing an increased roll in<br />
the day-to-day operations of low-security prison farms.<br />
He said correctional centres and Community Advisory Councils needed<br />
to work together to identify long-term strategic projects that would<br />
develop and enhance prisoners’ skills.<br />
Mr Rockett also presented an overview of trends and statistics in<br />
corrections and spoke about links between community service projects<br />
and Work camps.<br />
Probation and Parole Executive Director Peter Camden spoke to the<br />
conference about how offenders serving community service orders<br />
could also contribute to Work-style projects in regional <strong>Queensland</strong>.<br />
Mr Camden explained the benefits of robust risk-assessments<br />
conducted by Probation and Parole on offenders being considered for<br />
work in the community.<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> Parole Boards President Peter McInnes outlined changes<br />
to the <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Act 2006.<br />
He explained the conditions set for offenders undertaking communitybased<br />
orders and how these emphasised community safety.<br />
General managers from Townsville, Lotus Glen, Capricornia and Darling<br />
Downs correctional centres also addressed to conference.<br />
Infrastructure for the soon to open Bowen Women’s Work Camp and<br />
continuing efforts in the wake of Cyclone Larry by the Innisfail Work<br />
crews were also discussed.<br />
The top award – the Bunny Powne Perpetual trophy for Best Capital<br />
Works Project went to Clermont Work Camp for their work with<br />
Belyando Shire Council to help save the endangered Northern hairy<br />
nose wombat.<br />
Prisoners at the camp erected a surrounding wall to the wombats’<br />
burrow in their Epping Forest sanctuary located about 150 kilometres<br />
North West of Clermont, and planted native shrubs and grasses in the<br />
area.<br />
The award for Most Effective Single Maintenance Project went to<br />
Blackall Work Camp for their effort to reconstruct 350 metres of<br />
footpaths in the main street of Isisford.<br />
Manpower supplied by the Blackall Work Camp enabled this longawaited<br />
work and other town beautification projects to be completed<br />
for the benefit of residents and visitors.<br />
Winner of the Best Contribution to any Community Event or Service<br />
award was Dirranbandi Work Camp for its contribution to the cleanup<br />
of Tara in the wake of a severe storm on March 13, 2007.<br />
The efforts of prisoners employed to assist in the cleanup of storm<br />
damaged homes, roads and surrounding areas were greatly appreciated<br />
by the Tara community.<br />
Winton Work Camp won the Best Camp Award for the pride taken by<br />
prisoners, camp supervisors and the Community Advisory Committee<br />
members in the upkeep and presentation of the camps’ grounds.<br />
The 17th Annual Work Program Conference will be held at Springsure<br />
next year.<br />
Left to right, Regional Manger Yme Dwarshuis, Capricornia Correctional<br />
Centre GM Steve Green, Probation and Parole Executive Director Peter Camden<br />
and Blackall Shire CEO Brenda Kelly at the Work Program Conference<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 9
BCC management team, from left, Human Resources Manager Tanya Finn, Accommodation Manager Paul Broanda, Assistant General Manager Darryll Fleming, Offender Development<br />
Manager Sonya Messer, Business <strong>Services</strong> Manager Leonie Carlile, Accommodation Manager Charlie Shore, General Manager Greg Brown, Centre <strong>Services</strong> Manager Peter Drage<br />
Brisbane Correctional Centre project nearing completion<br />
The redevelopment and expansion of Brisbane Correctional Centre<br />
(BCC) is nearing completion.<br />
Structural work has been mostly completed and finishing trades, such<br />
as floor finishes, fixtures, fittings and painting are moving into final<br />
stages.<br />
The management team has been appointed and until the centre is<br />
commissioned will form part of the project team.<br />
The Project Team is responsible for developing the operating processes<br />
for BCC and coordinating all aspects of recruitment and staff training.<br />
After commissioning, members of the management team will assume<br />
operational duties at the centre.<br />
Construction Manager Tony Froio said Bovis Lend Lease had started<br />
their commissioning and defect finalisation stage.<br />
“We are also continuing to install the latest waterwise technology,”<br />
he said.<br />
“As part of this process, eight 22,000 litre water tanks will be installed<br />
by the end of <strong>August</strong> and flow control equipment for all showers and<br />
new toilets is underway in wing S13,” he said.<br />
Page 10 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
Watertanks ready for<br />
installation at Brisbane<br />
Correctional Centre last<br />
month<br />
The tanks will supply water to the centre’s grounds through an inground<br />
irrigation system that only turns on when the soil is dry.<br />
Other green initiatives include native vegetation, water saving<br />
fixtures, water and energy consumption monitoring equipment and<br />
environmentally-friendly building products.<br />
Recruitment<br />
BCC recruitment is an ongoing process with custodial supervisor and<br />
officer positions currently in the interview stage. They are expected to<br />
be finalised before the end of September.<br />
In the coming months, BCC will be looking to appoint staff in positions<br />
such as, psychologists, nurses, stores, cultural liaison officers and<br />
administrative staff.<br />
Positions will also be advertised within areas such as workplace<br />
health and safety, food services, industry, sentence management and<br />
support positions.<br />
All positions will be advertised on the <strong>Queensland</strong> Government<br />
SmartJobs website www.jobs.qld.gov.au<br />
More information about careers with corrective services is available at<br />
www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Trainers and graduates of the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre Custodial Pre-service Induction program<br />
Recruits graduate at Arthur Gorrie<br />
A drill demonstration was the highlight of a recent graduation ceremony<br />
held at the <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> (QCS) Academy at Wacol.<br />
The parade ground skills were showcased by Arthur Gorrie Correctional<br />
Centre (AGCC) officers completing their pre-service training.<br />
Academy Executive Director Alan Butler, AGCC General Manager Jim<br />
Fisher and family and friends of the graduates were among the guests<br />
who congratulated the 20 new corrective services officers.<br />
The six-week course comprised classroom education, on-the-job<br />
training, hands-on practical skills, physical training and team building.<br />
Random tests tightened to catch drug users<br />
A tougher drug-testing regime is helping <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> (QCS) crackdown on drug use in correctional centres.<br />
In a major change, random urinalysis tests are no longer anonymous<br />
and prisoners returning positive indications to tests are subject to<br />
disciplinary action.<br />
Drug Strategy Unit Manager Jeff Powis said Identified Random Testing<br />
will benefit QCS by identifying who is using drugs and which drugs are<br />
being used.<br />
“Previously, random testing was conducted only for statistical purposes<br />
in line with the statistical model developed by the Australian Bureau<br />
of Statistics,” Jeff said.<br />
“Identified Random Testing will continue that function, as well as<br />
allowing us to take the appropriate action against prisoners who are<br />
using drugs.<br />
“Identifying which drugs are coming in, and who they are going to,<br />
will allow us to better fight the smuggling of drugs into correctional<br />
centres.”<br />
All correctional centre general managers have been briefed about the<br />
changes and Jeff will visit all centres to explain the changes to key<br />
staff.<br />
While the list of prisoners to be tested will still be computer-generated<br />
Several awards were presented during the ceremony.<br />
Merissa Weeks received the Dux of the Course Award.<br />
Sushil (Henry) Sehgal received the Trainers’ Encouragement Award for<br />
showing outstanding dedication and determination to complete the<br />
course.<br />
Jacobus Havenga received the Marksman’s Award as well as the<br />
General Manager’s Award in recognition of outstanding integrity,<br />
professionalism and teamwork displayed during the course.<br />
using IOMS, all prisoners to be tested will be identified.<br />
Custodial staff will now have two weeks to collect samples, which<br />
previously had to be collected on the same day the list was<br />
generated.<br />
Bar-coding has also been introduced to help maintain the integrity of<br />
the system and speed up processing at the John Tonge Centre – the<br />
Government testing laboratory.<br />
Jeff said the new system was supported by a review of procedures<br />
relating to the collection, storage and transportation of samples.<br />
“We did this to ensure our processes would stand up to any scrutiny,”<br />
he said.<br />
“Identified Random Testing will also allow us to increase the amount<br />
of testing in line with the QCS Drug Strategy.”<br />
Details of the Drug Strategy can be found on the QCS intranet under<br />
Strategic Documents in the Reports and Publications section.<br />
Staff can also call the Drug Strategy Unit on 3239 0592 for further<br />
information.<br />
In 2005-06, more than 8,000 random and targeted tests were<br />
conducted on prisoners in <strong>Queensland</strong> correctional centres.<br />
There will be no change to the procedure for targeted urinalysis tests.<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 11
Page Page 12 12 / 12 CN / CN <strong>August</strong> June 2007<br />
2007<br />
Service Delivery Excellence Award...Tara storm<br />
response, Darling Downs Correctional Centre<br />
QCS Excellen<br />
The QCS Excellence Awards 2007 were announced at a ceremony at Parliament House in Brisbane during<br />
June. Award presentations were also held at Lotus Glen and Townsville correctional centres. Excellence<br />
Award recipients were selected from a large number of nominations from across the State. Winners were<br />
judged as the most exceptional in achievement, success, conduct or contribution to the Agency’s goals.<br />
Long and Meritorious Service award recipients were also presented their medals and certificates at each<br />
of the ceremonies.<br />
Long and Meritorious Service Awards<br />
National Medal recipients<br />
The National Medal Clasp for 25 years long and meritorious service<br />
Daryl Brown, John Brown, Roy Cannons, Colin Craig, Thomas Dagan, Ernest Faux, James Maloney, Gordon<br />
Murray, Peter Taylor, Robert Thurland<br />
The National Medal for 15 years long and meritorious service<br />
Neville Allan, Alan Baker, Leonard Berthelsen, Dennis Butler, Neal Carthew, Shelley Charles, Roger Cockfield,<br />
Jeffrey Cookson, John Crombie, Debra Davis, Peter Deane-Freeman, Michael Dobbie, Ross Dobbs, Gregory<br />
Dowrick, Craig Eaves, Phillip Glosko, Colin Graham, Doris Heit, Shane Lahrs, David McNulty, Kevin Maguire,<br />
Dennis Richardson, Donald Rowe, Rodney Smith, Bradley Wesener, Graeme White<br />
Agency Long and Meritorious Service Awards<br />
35 years long and meritorious service<br />
Alan Farrell, William Kennedy, John Kerslake<br />
25 years long and meritorious service<br />
Michael Heffernan, Karen McGregor, Wayne May, Kevin Merrett, Ross Newman, Daryl Richter, Graham Yule<br />
15 years long and meritorious service<br />
Excellence Award winner,<br />
Mareeba Probation and<br />
Parole’s Linda Davie<br />
Excellence Award winner,<br />
Townsville Correctional<br />
Centre’s Kev Murray<br />
David Beverley, Theadora Bosgra, Peter Crosby-Browne, Donna Curro, Nial Greaves, Sally Hier, Peter Hollis,<br />
Brian Mildenhall, Earle Rawlings, Dianne Roughley, Peter Schweikert, Melissa Simmons, Ethel Speedy,<br />
Michelle Sugden-Ware, Jane Thirnbeck, Christopher Udemans<br />
Woodford Intel...recipients of a Service Delivery award Service Delivery award winners, the QCS Academy<br />
National medal recipients<br />
for 25 years service, Gordon<br />
Murray, left, and Ernie Faux
ce Awards 2007<br />
DG Medal recipient, Darling Downs Correctional Centre’s<br />
Neill Crothers<br />
Excellence Awards Recipients<br />
Director-General’s Award<br />
Neill Crothers – Darling Downs Correctional Centre<br />
Minister’s Award<br />
Brisbane South District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Minister’s Special Award<br />
Alison Hunter<br />
Category – Service Delivery<br />
Mary Cain – Brisbane Central District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Lorelle Holmes – Burleigh Heads District Probation and Parole Office<br />
James Mason – Woodford Correctional Centre<br />
Karen Cook – Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre<br />
Gina Slape – <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Intelligence Group<br />
Sue Petersen – <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Academy<br />
Greg Mullins – Finance and Administrative <strong>Services</strong> Branch<br />
Jane Ashton – Cairns District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Thea Schmacke – Maryborough Correctional Centre<br />
Peter Finch – Maryborough Correctional Centre<br />
Dale Warren – Capricornia Correctional Centre<br />
Raylea Carruthers – Gladstone District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Kevin Murray – Townsville Correctional Centre<br />
Woodford Correctional Centre Intelligence Unit<br />
Tara Storm Response Team – Darling Downs Correctional Centre<br />
Operational Training Unit – <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Academy<br />
South-east <strong>Queensland</strong> Prison Precinct – Gatton shop front team<br />
Visits Processing Officers team – Capricornia Correctional Centre<br />
Townsville Correctional Centre Women’s Unit<br />
Industry Trade Instructors – Lotus Glen Correctional Centre<br />
Lotus Glen’s John Brown receives his National<br />
Medal for 25 years service<br />
Minister’s Bursary winners, Brisbane South District<br />
Probation and Parole Office<br />
Townsville’s David McNulty receives his National<br />
Medal for 15 years service<br />
Category – Innovation<br />
Burleigh Heads District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Pups in Prison Project team – Darling Downs Correctional Centre<br />
Reporting Solutions team – Information Management Branch<br />
Hervey Bay District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Education Officers team – Capricornia Correctional Centre<br />
Steven Scougall – Maryborough Correctional Centre<br />
Category – Leadership and Collaboration<br />
Jenny Lynas – Probation and Parole Directorate<br />
Alan Swann – Custodial Operations Directorate<br />
Fiona Brown – Gympie District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Linda Davie – Mareeba District Probation and Parole Office<br />
Rochelle Horrobin – Mackay District Probation and Parole Office<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Intelligence Group<br />
Awarded for their innovation, Burleigh Probation and Parole Office<br />
CN CN <strong>August</strong> June 2007 / Page / Page 13 13
Lotus Glen<br />
Honour roll<br />
Custodial Entry Level Program graduates June 15 and 22<br />
Lotus Glen graduates during their training<br />
Page 14 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
June 15<br />
Lotus Glen Correctional Centre<br />
David Aldrich<br />
Stephen Henson<br />
Ivor Anderson<br />
Gary Leavis<br />
Don Roberts<br />
Danny Bradley<br />
Neil Lunn<br />
Jason Ryan<br />
Ross Bulow<br />
Corey Martland<br />
Francis Stephen<br />
Andrew Child<br />
Daniel O’Connor<br />
Nicholas Trabant<br />
Paul Harris<br />
Richard O’Dea<br />
Melissa Harvey<br />
Jason Rees<br />
Stephen Ward<br />
Noel Powell receives his Cyclone Larry<br />
pin from Mr Rockett<br />
Cutting the Lotus Glen graduation cake, from left,<br />
graducates Francis Stephen, Melissas Harvey and<br />
Mr Rockett<br />
Gra<br />
Theresa Fersterer<br />
June 22<br />
Townsville Correctional Centre<br />
Dianne Whittome<br />
Vicki Stuart<br />
Megan Beech<br />
Paul Webster<br />
Glynnis Heath<br />
Andrea Hull<br />
Simon Harvey<br />
Ben Cashman<br />
Rodney Sherriff<br />
Raymond Hanaway<br />
Kim Rippon<br />
Christopher Gee<br />
Lloyd Jenkinson<br />
Jacob Wilson<br />
Ian Coleman<br />
Robert Houston (Palen Creek)<br />
Adam Woods (Maryborough)<br />
Lotus Glen trainers, from left, Carmelo Salerno,<br />
Bruce Dunster, Rachel Reid and Phil Sinnot
Townsville<br />
duations<br />
Graduations and accolades for northern staff<br />
Lotus Glen Correctional Centre has celebrated an historic training<br />
milestone with 19 new recruits graduating from the first Entry Level<br />
Program (ELP) held by the centre since 1990.<br />
New recruits for the State’s most northern centre have previously<br />
completed their ELP at Brisbane’s QCS Academy (QCSA) – more than<br />
1800kms away.<br />
Now, they can complete their training close to home at the centre,<br />
which was recently accredited as a training annex of the QCSA.<br />
The first 10-week ELP was held at Lotus Glen thanks to an enthusiastic<br />
and dedicated group of local training personnel and supportive<br />
centre staff including Rachel Reid, Carmelo Salerno, Phil Sinnott and<br />
Bruce Dunster, along with assistance from QCSA staff.<br />
Townsville Correctional Centre also celebrated the graduation of 18<br />
new recruits – 16 destined for work at Townsville and two heading to<br />
Maryborough and Palen Creek correctional centres.<br />
The June 15 and 22 graduations for Lotus Glen and Townsville,<br />
respectively, were attended by Director-General Frank Rockett,<br />
Custodial Executive Director Jim Mullen and QCS Academy Executive<br />
Director Alan Butler.<br />
Lotus Glen’s Stephen Henson and Townsville’s Christopher Gee gave<br />
the graduate addresses at the ceremonies.<br />
Townsville’s ceremony was held in a parade-style format in which<br />
the graduates are summoned using the 117-year-old muster bell.<br />
They then marched through the old gatehouse, prior to inspection<br />
by Mr Rockett.<br />
Award accolades<br />
The two graduation ceremonies also provided an opportunity for<br />
the presentation of commemorative Cyclone Larry pins and QCS<br />
Excellence Awards.<br />
The pins, awarded by the Office of the Premier, recognise<br />
contributions to the Cyclone Larry relief effort in Innisfail and the<br />
surrounding region.<br />
Recipients included Rob Fitzsimmons, Dave Muller and Noel Powell<br />
from Lotus Glen, and Douglas Cronin, Mal Braunberger, Alan<br />
Sotheren and William McKay from Townsville.<br />
For the QCS Excellence Awards feature, turn to pages 12 and 13.<br />
Townsville Correctional Centre’s 117-year-old muster bell is rung, heralding the arrival of the graduates and the subsequent parade and inspection<br />
Townsville graduates during their training<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 15
A Compliance Officer’s role<br />
Mark French is a Compliance Officer at the Brisbane South District<br />
Probation and Parole Office who graduated from the course on July 6.<br />
Mark has served 18 years with corrections and said he learned much<br />
during the course and appreciated the opportunity to network with<br />
colleagues from around the State.<br />
In this <strong>Corrections</strong> <strong>News</strong> profile, Mark speaks about his role as a<br />
Compliance Officer.<br />
“Every day is a new day,” explains Mark French.<br />
“You never know what is coming next. This is not the sort of job where<br />
you work at your computer all day.”<br />
According to Mark, the role of a Compliance Officer has broadened<br />
significantly from the Community Service Supervisor role it has replaced.<br />
“Previously, the focus of our job was entirely on community service, but<br />
now, we have a variety of roles. We are multi-skilled,” he said.<br />
“We now play a significant role in contravention actions against offenders<br />
who fail to attend their community service, fail to report, or commit an<br />
offence while on an Intensive <strong>Corrections</strong> Order or a Probation Order.<br />
“Compliance officers also assist the administration staff within the office,<br />
conduct urinalysis tests, and attend home visits with other officers.<br />
“This has opened up opportunities for further involvement within the<br />
office structure.”<br />
Mark, who is one of three compliance officers at Brisbane South, oversees<br />
12 community service work sites from West End to Carina.<br />
Offenders work at sites run by organisations such as Lifeline, the Clem<br />
Jones Centre, the Brisbane City Council, Department of Main Roads and<br />
various Bushcare groups.<br />
Administering community service remains a significant part of a<br />
Compliance Officer’s role.<br />
“We’re still required to source new sites, allocate offenders to projects,<br />
induct prisoners and site supervisors, collate hours worked at project<br />
sites and record data,” said Mark.<br />
“It’s also very important to get ongoing feedback from site supervisors<br />
- whether it’s good or bad.”<br />
Mark says he gets great satisfaction from working in the community.<br />
“Helping to turn a negative experience into a positive one is very<br />
satisfying,” he said.<br />
“Most people are compliant, but some do require a gentle reminder and<br />
a bit of direction.”<br />
South Brisbane Probation and Parole Officer Mark French checks offender work records<br />
with Lifeline Site Supervisor Annette Adams<br />
Page 16 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
Probation<br />
Compliance Officer<br />
July 6<br />
Annette Gill<br />
Helen Athanassiou<br />
Judy Allen<br />
Lorraine Applebee<br />
Jan Raphael<br />
Karl Hanes<br />
Lorraine Hackett<br />
Ian Wintle<br />
Raylea Carruthers<br />
Leanne Sampson<br />
Grace Turek<br />
Susan Lukatela<br />
Mark French<br />
Desley Gurney<br />
Alarna Morris<br />
Peter Heaphy
and Parole<br />
Development Program graduates<br />
July 13<br />
Emma Wildermoth<br />
Daniel Steve<br />
Leanne Rose<br />
Matt Klein-Schiphorst<br />
Michelle Holmes<br />
Eddie Rawlings<br />
Trina Ward<br />
Annette Evans<br />
Arna Van Eyssen<br />
Toni Webber<br />
Toni Vincent<br />
Desley Gurney<br />
David Franklin<br />
Michael Schilt<br />
Jacki Slater<br />
Melanie Hudson<br />
Greg McMahon<br />
Tricia Gilmour<br />
Danielle Noordink<br />
Vilic Bojan<br />
Kim O’Toole<br />
The roll-out of the new Probation and Parole<br />
model continues with 68 officers graduating<br />
from three recent Compliance Officer Development<br />
Program courses.<br />
All compliance officers have now completed<br />
their Development Program course and with<br />
40 per cent of reporting officers having also<br />
completed their course, the evolution of the<br />
new Probation and Parole model is on track.<br />
Two more Reporting Officer Development<br />
Programs are due to commence soon and it is<br />
anticipated all Probation and Parole officers<br />
will be trained in their new roles by the end<br />
of this year.<br />
Officers from across <strong>Queensland</strong>, from new<br />
recruits to a 35-year veteran, completed the<br />
two-week Compliance Officer courses, which<br />
covered 28 subjects.<br />
Training Coordinator Jeff Bennett conducted<br />
the graduation ceremonies which were also<br />
attended by QCS Academy Executive Director<br />
Alan Butler, Learning <strong>Services</strong> Principal<br />
Advisor Robert Burnheim and North Coast<br />
Regional Manager Ursula Roeder.<br />
Compliance Officer is one of five roles<br />
developed for Probation and Parole and,<br />
essentially, replaces the Community Service<br />
Coordinator position.<br />
<strong>August</strong> 3<br />
Julie Casey<br />
Cathy McKeon<br />
Harmony Steinbach<br />
Mary James<br />
Maria Stevens<br />
Kirsten Robinson<br />
Maurie Plant<br />
Maria Weeks<br />
Eileen Fowler<br />
Patrice White<br />
Shane Daley<br />
Narelle Profke<br />
Susan Jacobs<br />
Ricky Bennet<br />
Nev Walker<br />
Arlene Bale<br />
Sevese Isaro<br />
Ellen Sorbello<br />
Tracey Leveridge<br />
Mary McGrath<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 17
Left to right, Custodial Officer Phil Haskett, Industry Advisor Jim<br />
Mason, Custodial Executive Director Jim Mullen and GM Greg<br />
Howden at the presentation<br />
advance2work links prisoners to post-release employment<br />
Page 18 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
Woodford’s welfare association going strong<br />
A welfare association set up at Woodford Correctional Centre (WCC) to offer simple benefits and<br />
emotional support to prison officers injured at work, last month acknowledged a key figure in<br />
its continuing success.<br />
During a ceremony at WCC recently, the Woodford Staff Welfare Association (WSWA) bestowed<br />
the centre’s General Manager Greg Howden with the title of Patron, in appreciation of his<br />
support.<br />
Custodial Officer Phil Haskett is WSWA President and helped establish the group 10 years ago<br />
following a riot and series of staff assaults.<br />
Phil said the association collected $2 per pay from members to support staff in times of need.<br />
“At first, we sent flowers and gift baskets to sick officers,” Phil said.<br />
“Since then, we’ve grown to about 200 members and now have $20,000 in savings.”<br />
Phil credits his GM for much of the recent rise in membership and increase in funds available.<br />
“When Greg Howden arrived at Woodford two years ago, he brought a wealth of knowledge,<br />
enthusiasm and encouragement to us,” Phil said.<br />
“He helped us develop a constitution, improve our financial reporting and to incorporate.”<br />
“Thanks to his professional guidance and enthusiasm, we’re now in a position to offer welfare<br />
benefits to officers who are off work for prolonged periods.”<br />
“We also have a $3000 benefit for the families of members who die.”<br />
The patron’s title is a life-long appointment and was bestowed on Greg by Phil Haskett in the<br />
presence of fellow officers and Custodial Executive Director Jim Mullen.<br />
Greg said he accepted the title with pride.<br />
“Correctional officers operate in a challenging environment,” Greg said.<br />
“We should always be sympathetic and supportive of our colleagues, especially in times of<br />
need.”<br />
The committee is now negotiating ways to expand the association and, along with the support<br />
of Jim Mullen, set up similar arrangements in other correctional centres.<br />
Advance2work has replaced the Post Release Employment Assistance Program (PREAP).<br />
Advance2work will continue to prepare prisoners for employment in the community as they<br />
approach their release date.<br />
Staff from community agencies who work with offenders as part of the program, will now be<br />
identified by one name – advance2work – throughout all <strong>Queensland</strong> correctional centres.<br />
The program’s contract recently went to tender, with all existing providers being reappointed<br />
until 2010.<br />
Career Employment Australia will provide services for advance2work in south east <strong>Queensland</strong>,<br />
Maryborough and Cairns. In Townsville BCIL Southern Edge will run the program. The Salvation<br />
Army’s Employment Plus has been appointed for Rockhampton.<br />
Since the program started in 2000, it has supported more than 10,000 prisoners, with about<br />
2700 of these placed into employment.<br />
Last year, 2600 prisoners were supported, with 700 placed into employment.<br />
Of these, about 400 retained their employment beyond 13 weeks.<br />
QCS has also designed and implemented a web-based data management system to assist with<br />
managing advance2work.<br />
It is the first QCS system to allow external service providers to gain information and report via<br />
the internet.
FAST news<br />
Intelligence training<br />
During June, 16 intelligence officers graduated from the ATP006 Initial<br />
Intelligence Officer Training course, which was held at the QCS Academy.<br />
Coordinated by Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Wildin, the three-week program<br />
for intelligence officers was developed by the <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong><br />
Intelligence Group (QCSIG) in partnership with the <strong>Queensland</strong> Police Service<br />
(QPS). Det. Wildin said this was the first year that the course had been<br />
accessible to Probation and Parole intelligence officers, with three officers<br />
taking part in the recent training. The ATP006 program is a component of the<br />
Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police Intelligence), which is awarded after<br />
the completion of a further module, ATP007 Consolidation and Reflection, and<br />
assessment of competence in the workplace. The course includes modules on<br />
planning intelligence activities, crime analysis, intelligence indicators, sources<br />
of information, profiling, crime scene preservation and inference development.<br />
Officers came from most centres across the State for the training, as well as<br />
from the Tasmanian Prison Service and ACT <strong>Corrections</strong>.<br />
QCS Intelligence Officers and their interstate colleagues at the intelligence training<br />
Camps working for Balonne Shire<br />
Work camps at St George and Dirranbandi have contributed more than $170,000<br />
worth of labour to community groups in the Balonne Shire during the past 12<br />
months. Offenders at the St George camp completed more than 400 hours of<br />
work during June with an estimated value to the community in excess of $6000.<br />
<strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Minister Judy Spence and Director-General Frank Rockett<br />
recently toured the St George camp with members of the local Community<br />
Advisory Committee. Ms Spence and Mr Rockett were escorted around the<br />
camp by Supervisor Dave Martin and Field Officer Len Bowen. The tour included<br />
a walk along the River Walk pathway which was constructed by past and current<br />
camp residents and has been an active site since the mid-1990s. The St George<br />
Work Camp currently provides offenders for a variety of projects including, the<br />
St George Golf Club, the Thallon Country Women’s Association Hall, Balonne<br />
Kindergarten and a local rubbish tip.<br />
Inspecting the facilities at St George, from left, Darling Downs Correctional Centre General<br />
Manager Andrew Pike, St George Work Camp Field Supervisor Dave Martin, Minister Judy<br />
Spence and Ministerial Policy Advisor Fred Gwinn<br />
“Green” focus for Borallon<br />
Recognising the importance of conserving water and protecting the<br />
environment has inspired Borallon Correctional Centre (BCC) to promote World<br />
Environment Day. BCC joined with Ipswich City Council and community groups<br />
such as West Moreton Land Care and Save the Koala Foundation to develop<br />
appropriate activities. Among these activities, native trees were given to staff<br />
to take home and plant and their children entered a colouring-in competition.<br />
BCC General Manager Troy Ittensohn said being environmentally-focused was<br />
another way BCC contributed to the local community in a positive way. “As an<br />
organisation, we are socially responsible to the community,” he said. “We are<br />
also participating in the Lights off Australia campaign.” The first Wednesday<br />
of each month has been designated Lights Off Australia night, when residents<br />
and businesses switch off lights that aren’t required.<br />
New program at Borallon addresses drug issues<br />
A new program at Borallon Correctional Centre (BCC) is set to become an<br />
annual event following its successful launch. Drug Action Week coordinator<br />
Alberta Western said the program was a means of raising awareness of<br />
the consequences of drug usage. “We covered a range of issues including,<br />
communicable diseases, rehabilitation centres, encouraging drug-free<br />
activities, mental health and overcoming addiction.” Drug Action Week<br />
featured: education programs delivered by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> and Goori House Rehabilitation Centre; talks delivered in Chinese<br />
and Vietnamese; a series of drug and alcohol themed movies; daily anti-drugs<br />
messages delivered by custodial staff; information for visitors; and a touch<br />
football competition. Alberta said Drug Action Week was part of BCC’s overall<br />
drug strategy.<br />
Perspectives<br />
Prison keys sold on eBay<br />
A 135-year-old penitentiary in America has changed some of its locks after<br />
keys to the maximum-security prison were apparently sold on EBay. The keys<br />
belonged to a locksmith who retired from Anamosa State Penitentiary in<br />
1974. He died two years later and when his wife died last year, an auctioneer<br />
was hired to sell off the estate, which included the keys. Someone bought<br />
the keys and put them on EBay. The prison’s warden said some locks at the<br />
eastern Iowa prison have been changed since 1974 while others haven’t,<br />
prompting the recent change. “We did it as a precaution,” he said.<br />
http://cnews.canoe.ca<br />
Hungry for jail<br />
Inmates of an Indian prison are reportedly refusing to apply for bail because<br />
the food is so good. Parappana Agrahara prison in Bangalore is crowded with<br />
4700 inmates — more than twice its capacity. The Bangalore Mirror reports<br />
criminals are refusing to apply for bail to get out while juvenile offenders are<br />
lying about their age to get in. The paper says the reason is healthy food being<br />
served by ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.<br />
The Hare Krishna movement started serving its pure-vegetarian fare in the<br />
jail in May under contract from the prisons department. Lunch and dinner<br />
typically include piping hot rice, two vegetables and a spicy lentil dish<br />
called sambar and buttermilk. Prisoner Raja Reddy, who has been arrested<br />
20 times in 30 years for theft, robbery and burglary, said: “When we are<br />
getting tasty, nutritious food three times a day here, why should we go out<br />
and commit crimes.” http://www.ananova.com<br />
Jail bird confiscated<br />
A live budgie smuggled into an Irish prison inside a woman’s body has been<br />
confiscated. The bird, belonging to a long-term prisoner, was taken during<br />
a search for contraband. It is believed it had been smuggled into the prison<br />
by a female visitor who concealed the bird in her body. Other more common<br />
items taken during the check of inmates’ cells in Ireland’s maximum security<br />
Portlaoise prison include mobile phones, drugs and homemade alcohol.<br />
http://www.metro.co.uk<br />
CN <strong>August</strong> 2007 / Page 19
FAST news<br />
Unique artwork helps victims of crime<br />
A unique piece of artwork has been donated by Arthur Gorrie Correctional<br />
Centre to Relationships Australia (RA), to raise funds for RA’s victims of crime<br />
counselling and support service. The artwork “We Try to Mend” takes the form of<br />
a free-standing, portable chest with five detailed paintings by an AGCC offender<br />
decorating its panelled sides. The paintings tell the story of an offender’s<br />
journey and highlight the themes of precariousness, turmoil, contemplation and<br />
redemption. GEO Australia Managing Director Pieter Bezuidenhout presented<br />
the art piece to Relationships Australia last month, saying the donation was<br />
about giving back to the community and assisting victims of crime.<br />
GEO Australia Managing Director Pieter Bezuidenhout presents Relationships Australia<br />
CEO Andrew Davies with the artwork<br />
Christmas in July at Wacol<br />
Tinsel sparkled at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre (AGCC) last month as the<br />
centre invited residents from Canossa Nursing Home to celebrate “Christmas in<br />
July” with a festive lunch. AGCC General Manager Jim Fisher said Canossa Nursing<br />
Home and its residents were adopted by AGCC as a way of engaging with the<br />
local community and celebrating the contributions and achievements of senior<br />
citizens. “This year’s theme for our Christmas in July lunch is remembering and<br />
saying ‘thank you’ to the senior members of our community for what we have<br />
today,” he said. With reindeer, poinsettias and bonbons decorating the table,<br />
Canossa residents, carers and AGCC senior management staff enjoyed a two<br />
course meal prepared by offenders. Following the luncheon, GEO Australia<br />
Managing Director Pieter Bezuidenhout presented Canossa Nursing Home with<br />
a gift basket of chocolates and biscuits for those residents who weren’t able<br />
to attend.<br />
Canossa residents and AGCC staff enjoy the festive spirit<br />
Page 20 / CN <strong>August</strong> 2007<br />
Gatton Show goers meet QCS<br />
<strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> (QCS) staff last month joined the cattle, rides,<br />
wood chopping and fine arts displays as attractions at this year’s Gatton<br />
Show. <strong>Corrective</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Minister Judy Spence officially opened the 91st<br />
Gatton Show after arriving in the main arena in a restored Cobb & Co coach.<br />
Dog Squad officers Graham Clements and Doug Belcher and their dogs Mia<br />
and Duke also marched in the opening parade. QCS also sponsored several<br />
events in the horse section of the show. Graham and Doug returned with Mia<br />
and Duke the next day to help staff a QCS display stall near the main arena<br />
and to march in the Grand Parade. The dogs were a popular attraction for show<br />
goers, who were able to find out about the role of dogs in correctional centres<br />
and how they are trained for the job. They were joined by Fleet Supervisor Greg<br />
Williams who opened up a short haul escort vehicle for patrons to look over.<br />
HR Recruitment Consultant Billy Cupples was also on hand to answer enquiries<br />
about careers in corrections and progress on the proposed prison precinct for<br />
the area. This year’s State Budget allocated $3.4 million for the planning and<br />
design of the Gatton prison precinct. Negotiations to secure the land required<br />
for the precinct are continuing.<br />
Dog Squad Officer Graham Clements with Mia, Fleet Supervisor Greg Williams, HR<br />
Recruitment Consultant Billy Cupples and Dog Squad Officer Doug Belcher with Duke<br />
outside the QCS display tent at the Gatton Show<br />
Dog Squad officers Graham Clements<br />
and Doug Belcher march in the Grand<br />
Parade with their dogs Mia and Duke<br />
GP Dog Shiloh remembered<br />
Popular long-serving Lotus Glen Correctional Centre (LGCC) General Purpose<br />
Dog Shiloh has passed away. The nine-year-old tan German Sheppard retired<br />
six months ago after serving at Lotus Glen since 2000. LGCC Assistant General<br />
Manager Phil Mannion presented Shiloh’s handler, Dog Squad Officer Ian<br />
Grimmett, with a tankard on behalf of the centre in recognition of Shiloh’s<br />
contribution. Ian is now partnered with Monty the Agency’s first Belgian<br />
Malinois.<br />
GP Dog Shilo LGCC Assistant GM Phil Mannion presents Dog Handler Ian<br />
Grimmett with a tankard in memory of Shilo