Townsville Correctional Complex to employ 26 new Custodial Correctional Officers

Former ADF personnel, hospitality workers and interstate corrections officers are among the new graduates reinforcing the Townsville Correctional Complex. Read about the career opportunities available.

Graduation ceremony for 26 new Custodial Correctional Officers to be based at the Townsville Correctional Complex. Picture: QCS.

Reinforcements have arrived to bolster the front line at the Townsville Correctional Complex after 26 Custodial Correctional Officers graduated this week.

Former ADF personnel, hospitality workers and interstate corrections officers were among the North Queensland officers celebrating their graduation on Thursday in front of family and friends after completing an intensive, 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program.

Led by experienced instructors from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy (QCS), the entry program included training in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation to assist with prisoner rehabilitation.

Over the last year, more than 650 new Queensland Custodial Corrections Officers have graduated statewide, including 71 from Townsville.

QCS was also recruiting for other public safety focused roles including trade instructors, dog squad officers, psychologists, counsellors, cultural liaison officers and administration.

Townsville Correctional Complex welcomed 26 new Custodial Correctional Officers who graduated this week. Picture: QCS.

Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd said the new Custodial Corrections Officer graduates were embarking on rewarding careers delivering world-class correctional services to the community and prisoner rehabilitation.

“It’s terrific to see former ADF personnel and interstate corrections officers among the Townsville graduates who’ve committed to training for good jobs on Queensland’s frontline,” Ms Boyd said.

“Community safety and the wellbeing of Queensland’s Correctional Officers are paramount and that’s why the government has included an additional $246m in this year’s budget for Correctional Services and more than 1000 new full-time corrections jobs.”

Townsville Correctional Complex General Manager Louise Kneeshaw welcomed and thanked the new officers for their commitment to helping keep communities safe.

“Our officers are our greatest asset, and we strive to ensure they are supported as they carry out their often-unseen duties,” Chief Superintendent Kneeshaw said.

“Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community.”

Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw at Townsville Correctional Centre. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR

A former-correctional officer, Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the new graduates were a great credit to the QCS Academy’s quality team of instructors.

“Over the last year, QCS instructors have clocked up in excess of 200,000 hours training more than 650 corrections officers, including 71 for Townsville with a strong focus on rehabilitation and reducing prisoner reoffending.”

For more information, visit: corrections.qld.gov.au/careers

Originally published as Townsville Correctional Complex to employ 26 new Custodial Correctional Officers