NT Corrections recruits looking forward to the challenge amid turbulent time for department

Dozens of new NT prison staff are set to hit the ground in the coming weeks, welcoming the challenge of a system under unprecedented strain, infrastructure challenges, and a fierce clash between union and management.

New Correctional Officer recruits in training. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dozens of new Northern Territory prison staff are set to hit the ground in the coming weeks, welcoming the challenge of a system under unprecedented strain, infrastructure challenges, and a fierce clash between union and management.

Since the CLP came to power an additional 138 officers have joined corrections, desperately attempting to keep up with the more than 500 extra Territorians behind bars.

Currently 69 new corrections recruits are undergoing training, five set to graduate this week in Alice Springs, and 31 graduating next week in Darwin.

Jamie said she was looking forward to the challenge. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A group of trainees was at Holtze correctional centre on Wednesday, including new recruit Jamie who decided on a career change from police administration.

“I’m keen for a new challenge, to come away from the desk and do something more physical,” she said.

Seven officers have also commenced the Territory’s unique fast-tracked experienced officer program.

Lucas is undergoing the experienced officer training program. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

One of them, Lucas, spent a decade working in a Victoria maximum-security prison, and said his training had so far been “very extensive, very informative, and very much similar to what we do back down south”.

Lucas said the fast-tracked program offered a great opportunity to move north for the Territory lifestyle without a backwards step in his career.

While spirits were high among the trainees, the United Workers Union NT said many officers “continue to feel very undervalued”.

“Morale with officers is at an all time low,” union secretary Erina Early said.

“The Minister mentions they have delivered 138 officers since August – there’s no mention of the 80 officers that have left since then.

“The Commissioner is so far out of touch with his correctional officers, and none of these recruitment strategies are about supporting officers safety and welfare.”

Union members have been scathing of the government’s decision to bring in private security firm G4S to bolster the corrections workforce, warning it was a slippery slope to privatisation and would not improve worker conditions.

The first cohort of 10 G4S staff started this week, with some confusion in the Darwin Local Court about the timing of prisoner transfers and holding cell capacity.

Matthew Varley Commissioner Corrections NT and Gerard Maley Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Another G4S cohort is expected to start work next week assisting medical escorts, and Commissioner Matthew Varley said his focus would be expanding Darwin services before looking at other parts of the NT.

“Just to give you an example, the other day we had seven prisoners in Royal Darwin Hospital. That costs us 28 correctional officer shifts per 24 hour period – that’s 28 officers that I could have inside the prisons, opening up blocks, running services and running programs,” Commissioner Varley said.

“That’s why this G4S program so important.

“We’ll focus on establishing the critical mass here in Darwin first, and then as we mature, that model will expand.”

Mr Varley said he was asking officers to have confidence in his leadership.

“I’ve asked them to judge me on our results, judge me on our progress, and judge me on the evidence.

“We know that we’ve been through challenging times going on and going ahead, but (these recruits) right behind me show how much investment we’re making in growing and upscaling corrections to meet that challenge.”

Originally published as NT Corrections recruits looking forward to the challenge amid turbulent time for department