Demonstration of new dog squad recruits held at Maryborough Correctional Centre

A rare look within the grounds of the Maryborough jail has included a powerful demonstration of why you don’t want to mess with a prison dog. SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO.

Two new canines have joined the dog squad at Maryborough Correctional Centre, with a demonstration of the capabilities of the animals carried out at the prison on Friday.

General Manager of Maryborough Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Kris Winter said the dogs, named Justice and Yager, had undergone 12 weeks of training alongside their new handlers.

She described the training as a “rigorous” three-month program.

The two animals are general purpose dogs and can be used to subdue prisoners and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.

“Safety is our absolute priority, and the dogs and their handlers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our centre, and protecting our officers,” Ch Supt Winter said.

General Manager of Maryborough Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Kris Winter said the dogs, named Justice and Yager, had undergone 12 weeks of training alongside their new handlers.

“The training the dogs received will ensure they are ready to take on the challenges of working in a dynamic correctional environment every day, providing an emergency response to support our officers in potentially dangerous situations.

“The very high standard our handlers have achieved is a testament to their efforts and commitment.”

Handler Steve Berthelsen was part of the demonstration at the prison, showing how the dog, in this case Justice, responded to a threat from a prisoner with a weapon, to an assault on its handler and to a prisoner who resisted when being instructed to get on the ground.

In each instance, the dog grabbed hold of the arm presented to it and detained the “prisoner”.

Speaking to media afterwards, Mr Berthelsen described the essential role served by dogs at the prison.

Mr Berthelsen said it was rare dogs had to be used in the capacity that was demonstrated.

He said usually the dogs were excellent de-escalation tools, with just their barking able to get prisoners back in line.

The training the dogs received included obedience, agility, offender apprehension, tracking, intruder detection, property searches and operational deployment strategies.

Along with the general purpose dogs, other canines at the prison are trained in drug detection and used to search out contraband within the centre.

The Maryborough prison is also in the middle of a recruitment drive, with dozens of positions still available.

Ch Supt Winter said anyone looking for a meaningful career with an opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives should apply.

“We are looking for good communicators who want an excellent work life balance to enjoy the Wide Bay area,” she said.

General Manager of Maryborough Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Kris Winter addressing officers at the prison.

“We have had a great response so far but we are still looking for potential custodial correctional officers to join our ranks.”

The first 10-week paid, onsite training course starts in January next year for 25 trainees and a second in April.