Project 800: Corrective Services NSW in massive prison officer recruitment drive

A massive recruitment drive to staff NSW’s prison system is underway, as the halfway target is smashed. But do you have what it takes to step foot behind bars?

Corrective Services NSW is undertaking its largest recruitment drive in history — with hundreds of newly-minted officers joining the ranks where they will work to house the state’s most dangerous criminals.

In July, The Daily Telegraphrevealed CSNSW had fallen dramatically short of its promise to hire a massive 800 additional correctional officers by the end of the last financial year, with labour shortages blamed for the shortfall.

At the end of the last financial year, just 190 new recruits had undertaken the intensive 10-week training program, with a further 5000 applications submitted by people registering interest.

In response to the shortfall, Corrections Minister Geoff Lee argued a “tight labour market” and the a commitment to “finding the right people” delayed the recruitment process.

Before Project 800, corrective services officers were baring the brunt of staffing shortfalls as Covid gripped correctional facilities across the state.

In November, NewsLocal obtained department documents which revealed as many as200 correctional officers were off sick on one day at the Silverwater Metropolitan Remand Centre — sparking the need for executive staff to man-post across the facility due to prolonged staffing shortages.

“Our centres have quite low staffing profiles at the moment, so the more people that come in will only help safety,” Assistant Superintendent Tim Robinson said as part of the Project 800 special feature.

“We’ve seen a lot of assaults on staff just to the sheer number of inmates, so more recruits will really help us across our centres.”

However, since the criticism resulting from the failure to meet Project 800’s July deadline, hundreds of new recruits have joined the ranks of the department, with 400 additional correctional officers completed or currently undertaking training.

Trainee officers put through their paces during the 10-week program at Francis Greenway Correctional Complex. Picture: Julian Andrews

“It’s fantastic to see the camaraderie between the new recruits — at the end of their program they’re a team and a unit,” Troy Seychelles, security manager at Security Operations Group said.

The 10-week training regimen that all budding officers must undergo is gruelling, tough, but rewarding.

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Recruits are put to the mental and physical test to foster the attributes needed to staff NSW’s prisons, which hold some of the state’s most dangerous inmates.

“It just shows you how intense it can get inside a prison,” trainee corrections officer Michelle Rusteau said.

“But you understand and see what’s required of a correctional officer to keep prisons safe and in order.”

Corrections Minister Geoff Lee joined NewsLocal reporters on a recent trip behind the scenes of the training program at Francis Greenway Correctional Complex in Windsor and said it was a career as opposed to a job.

“The new recruits are entering a career – not just a job, but a career,” Mr Lee said.

Trainee Corrections Officer Michelle Rusteau. Picture: Julian Andrews

Trainee officer Milena Gusa. Picture: Julian Andrews

“These new officers will be on the frontline, keeping our communities and prisons safe, dealing with some of the worst criminals in the state.

“I take my hat off to them, it is so essential we have well-qualified people ready to respond to any situation.”

Project 800 aims to fortify the existing 10,000-strong workforce across Corrective Services NSW, while the training regimen hopes to stimulate the conditions officers will experience within the prison system, as well as to de-escalate conflict and nip it in the bud before it even happens.

Head of Security Troy Seychelles emphasised dignity and respect in the profession. Picture: Julian Andrews

Minister Geoff Lee speaks to recruits at Francis Greenway Correctional Complex. Picture: Julian Andrews

“We’re getting an idea of what goes on inside, but we’re not there to judge them, we’re there to help them and rehabilitate them,” trainee Milena Gusa said.

“It’s about learning the necessary skills needed and then going in there and helping them, so they can re-enter the community and not offend again.”

Mr Seychelles echoed that sentiment from one of his new recruits.

“One of the main aims of the training program is to resolve conflict and de-escalate it, so we don’t have to use riot gear and gas,” he said.

“My tip is to treat people in the system with dignity and respect.

“Don’t come in here if you think the job is to punish further, that’s been decided by the courts – our job is to rehabilitate.”

NewsLocal will bring you an exclusive look at the training regime of newly-minted correctional officers — dubbed Behind the Bars — with NewsLocal reporters Jake McCallum and Alexi Demetriadi undertaking the same program as new recruits.

From riot training to group drills and the dreaded tear gas chamber, our team will bring you the inside look into what it takes to be a corrective services officer.