While people may be familiar with the fictional officers from Wentworth or Orange is the New Black, Corrective Services NSW is celebrating the real faces of prison life and thanking their more than 7000 frontline staff.
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Friday, January 20 marks the inaugural Corrections Day which takes the community beyond the prison walls to hear the stories of the men and women of the NSW correctional system who rehabilitate inmates, keep offenders accountable and aim to reduce reoffending.
CSNSW Commissioner Peter Severin said community corrections and custodial officers, industry and trade overseers, services and programs staff faced a tough and often dangerous job each day.
“Corrections Day is an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution of frontline staff, who supervise offenders and keep our community safe,” Mr Severin said. “Custodial officers respond to more than 60 incidents each day across the state, such as contraband finds, assaults, medical issues and often unpredictable scenarios.
Among those being celebrated for their service is Assistant Superintendent Shane Kemp who no matter what he did in life, was determined to give something back to his community.
Working with young adult Aboriginal men at the Brewarrina Yetta Dhinnakkal Centre, in north western NSW, the 48-year-old has been given that chance.
It is a labour of love for Mr Kemp, who left NSW Police after eight years to join Corrective Services NSW to “make a difference”.
