March 2018 Corrections News

National Corrections Day The project changing the face of Aurukun Meet the Smart Pups improving the lives of children with disability Robert Wood Editor Alex Burton Designer and Content Editor Sophie Frayne Writer

Front cover: Geoff Robins and Stuart Marquardt are making a difference in Peter Martin APM Aurukun. Read more on page 13. Commissioner Corrective Services Corrections News is published by the Offi ce of the Commissioner Queensland Corrective Services It is with great pleasure that I pen my fi rst column for Corrections News; an important publication showcasing GPO Box 1054 the excellent work occurring across Queensland thanks State Law Building, 50 Ann Street to our valued and committed staff State-wide. QLD 4001 (07) 3239 3158 Since being appointed as Commissioner, I have travelled [email protected] extensively across Queensland and met many of you http://news.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au working within our great organisation. I wish to thank each of you once again for your warm welcome, and for your hard work, which contributes daily to the safety of Inside this issue Queenslanders. National Corrections Day Darryl Gracie While continuing to deliver our important work, we have 3 16 Field Supervisor, Innisfail Work taken the time to pause and celebrate our signifi cant wrap up contribution to keeping Queensland safe. Camp Lynne McNairn On 26 January, we paid special tribute to two of our 5 Violence Prevention Coordinator, Dianna Podetti colleagues, Mr Leslie Elliott and Ms Ursula Roeder, who Wolston Correctional Centre Case Manager, Gympie Probation were announced as recipients of the inaugural award of and Parole Service Corrections Medal. Jacinta Marshall We celebrated National Corrections Day on 19 January, 7 District Manager, Mt Isa Probation Meet our new recruits acknowledging the remarkable work of our staff across and Parole Service 17 Queensland, and this issue is dedicated to showcasing a cross-section of our offi cers who protect the community Our Research and every day. 8 John Sullivan 19 Evaluation Unit Custodial Correctional Offi cer, Wednesday 21 February marked 100 days since I started Wolston Correctional Centre The Maryborough in my role. I took this opportunity to refl ect on what 20 we have achieved, and where we are going as a newly Jordan Cotter Correctional Centre formed department in our own right. It has been 100 9 Senior Case Manager, Brisbane assistance program days of unprecedented change and growth, and we are Central Probation and Parole undertaking a structural review to ensure we are ready for improving the lives of future challenges. Focus on: Far Northern children with disabilities 11 I’d like to thank those of you who took the time to have Queensland Our Records Management your say in the recent staff survey. You understand our The importance of cultural 21 business better than anyone, and your feedback will connectedness at the Lotus Glen Unit be important in guiding the organisation-wide 10 year Correctional Centre strategic plan which will form the blueprint for our future. Tony Goodall The project changing the face of 22 Correctional Supervisor Please enjoy the March edition of Corrections News. Aurukun Wolston Correctional Centre Peter Martin APM Apunipima Cape York Health Commissioner Council Queensland Corrective Services page page 3 Queensland Corrective Services 4 Offi cers from the Ipswich Probation and Northern Regional Manager Teena Ingram and Correctional Machinery of Parole Service celebrated with service Complex General Manager Peter Hall at the centre’s open media call. providers Ted Noffs Foundation, Micah National Projects and YourTown. Government changes Corrections QCS has commenced the need to be completed over the process of establishing itself next few months. as a department in its own Day 2018 right, following changes to the Some of these actions have machinery of government after already been delivered, In May 2017, the Corrective Services the 2017 State Election. including issuing new Administrators’ Council (CSAC) approved delegations, acquiring an ABN the establishment of an annual National The Governor in Council issued and establishing a number of Corrections Day to be celebrated on the an Administrative Arrangements critical leadership positions for third Friday of January each year. Order on 21 December 2017 to our new functions. QCS will also confi rm that QCS would become continue to be a White Ribbon On 19 January 2018, Australia celebrated a separate department headed accredited workplace. by the Commissioner as chief its inaugural National Corrections Day. executive. Other tasks to be undertaken over the coming months The purpose of National Corrections Day Negotiations commenced include reviewing corporate is to highlight the work of our offi cers immediately with the policies, separating information that often goes on unseen by the general Department of Justice and technology systems and re- public. Attorney-General (DJAG) to arranging offi ce locations. identify the number of corporate In the week leading up to National staff and other associated Functions and staff will Corrections Day, many of our district resources to transfer to the new gradually transfer across to offi ces, correctional centres and department. QCS from DJAG once a formal agreement is signed between business units celebrated with Mr Tom Humphreys, normally the two departments. breakfasts, barbecues and other events Townsville Senior Case Manager Lauren Bradford, Northern Regional Manager General Manager of Strategy Teena Ingram, Townsville General Manager Peter Hall, Deputy Speaker and to pay tribute to the work all QCS staff do and Governance, has conducted “The goal is to ensure the Member for Townsville Scott Stewart MP, CERT Leader Phil Foley, Vocational Trainer Commissioner Martin addressed the Woodford Correctional Centre offi cers at to keep Queensland safe. the negotiations on behalf of transition occurs with minimal Tamara Cook, and Townsville Deputy General Manager Kris Winter. their celebration. QCS. disruption to corporate services Academy offi cers Flora Cheng, Irene Parfi tt- Manager, Offender Development Jared Fielding and Staying Safe Coordinator This year, the media was invited to or operational areas,” said Mr McMillan, Bret Sammut, Jenny Bennett, Tasmin Peter Copland received awards at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre. Rogers and Toni Browning received awards. open calls at the Townsville Women’s “It’s an exciting time for QCS,” Humphreys. Correctional Centre and the Numinbah Mr Humphreys said. “Being part Correctional Centre to build local of DJAG was a great opportunity The machinery of government community awareness. to deepen our engagement changes affect most with our colleagues across government departments, the criminal justice system. which has resulted in some staff We also undertook a social media Becoming a department already joining QCS from other campaign to highlight and “myth bust” will allow us to better focus areas of government. Mr Don some key topics, with the theme of on the current needs of the Sfi ligoj was fi rst aboard, joining #CorrectionsUpClose, which was popular correctional system and how QCS in January as the Cabinet with the general public. it needs to develop over the Legislation and Liaison Offi cer longer term.” (CLLO) from the Department of Congratulations to all staff for their Environment and Science. involvement in contributing to the “Our departmental status success of Corrections Day and those refl ects that we are dealing Don is responsible for with some of the most complex coordinating the department’s Commissioner Martin and Meaghan Scanlon MP presented staff awarded for going above and Custodial Correctional Offi cer Benjamin Simpson with his award at issues in our society.” advice on submissions to the Numinbah Correctional Centre. beyond in their roles. Cabinet and ensuring the The functions to transfer from Commissioner and Minister are This issue of Corrections News is DJAG include elements of fully briefed on matters being dedicated to profi ling some of our human resources, fi nance, considered by Cabinet. offi cers who protect our community every facilities, information day. technology, media and “I’ve appreciated the warm communication services, ethical welcome I’ve received from We take this opportunity to recognise standards, internal audit, and my new colleagues in QCS,” and acknowledge the work of all of our legal and right to information Don said. “I’m quickly learning and privacy services. A that corrective services is a colleagues in delivering world-class transition plan has been fascinating area of government corrective services. developed to capture the many with many unique challenges.” General Manager Peter Henderson, Reception Store Offi cer Andrew Koubek, small and large tasks that will and Jim Madden MP at the Borallon Training and Correctional Centre. page page 5 6 the latest Programs teaching inner peace, strength, choice and appreciation are achieving real results for some of Queensland’s most violent prisoners, with the assistance of dedicated Queensland Lynne McNairn Corrective Services Violence Prevention Coordinator administrators. Wolston Correctional Centre

Luke* landed in the high security “I was too young to make the Luke started the Peace Education With Lynne’s assistance, and the Lynne said she remembered the day Lynne said fi nding work and making Wolston Correctional Centre, in connection when the robberies fl ashed Program, which runs once a week support of Custodial Correctional when she realised Luke had changed. friends that way could be a good start. Brisbane’s west, after his “desperate” up on the news that night.” for two hours, on top of additional Offi cers, Luke has become sober in “A prisoner tried to fi ght Luke. But Luke Luke turned toward the window $2000-a-day heroin addiction led him intensive rehabilitative commitments. prison and learned to control his violent just put his hands up and said ‘I don’t overlooking the yard. “Eventually I to steal tens of thousands of dollars Luke is successfully addressing the The fact that she has a list of behaviour. want to do this’ and basically walked want to be a builder and do home during armed robberies. behavioural problems that led him to prisoners waiting to attend the away,” she recalled. renovations. Create a company. Make be placed in the correctional centre, opt-in course which teaches self- “I’ve been to a few prisons and I didn’t old things new again. Luke is now mid-40 and “clean as a with the assistance of education and refl ection, contentment, hope, even know that Violence Prevention “That’s when the lightbulb fl icked on,” whistle” as he completes year 9 of high programs offi cers and custodial staff. and understanding, speaks to its Coordinators existed,” Luke said. Luke said. “I’d never turned down a “I have a two-year plan that Lynne and school inside the Wolston Correctional Luke said when he met Violence effectiveness, she said. fi ght, but I was sick of it. Basically I the custodial offi cers helped me with. Centre. Prevention Coordinator Lynne McNairn “I thought it was the biggest load of walked to the education offi ce, threw I’ll go to TAFE, and learn how tax works, (pictured above), at Wolston, he was “a “Since March 2017, we’ve seen 143 crap,” he said. “But I kept going to up my hands and said ‘put me down for learn how business works. All of that.” “Mum gave birth to me when she was mess.” prisoners successfully through the the courses because Lynne made all the education classes!’” Lynne explained that Luke will soon 14,” Luke began. “Because she was Peace Education Program at Wolston,” time for people who want to improve have a Re-Entry Advisor assigned only a kid herself, I lived between my “I was having a fi ght with another Lynne said. themselves. It was the fi rst time in my “The program offi cers looked at me like to his case, whose job is to liaise grandparents’ and mum’s place. prisoner and I walked up to Lynne and life anyone had cared about me. I had two heads. But in a good way. with external providers and provide said ‘Miss, just to let you know, I am “Of those 143, 76 were in custody for They said ‘absolutely, mate, let’s do it.’ specialised support upon his release “At my grandparents, my clothes were probably going to pull that bloke’s eye violent offences. Since completing the “One day I realised I enjoyed the and in the months after. On top of that, cleaned, bills were paid, and dinner out of his socket’.” course, we’ve had just two per cent of program. So I opted-in to counselling “So now I’m doing year 9, a drug and he’ll have an assigned parole case was on the table. that cohort involved in incidents. That’s too, and psychology, and got alcohol course and counselling.” manager to monitor his progress. Lynne has seen almost 150 prisoners down from the 30 per cent who were diagnosed properly. “At mum’s, there was nothing but through the Peace Education Program, involved in custodial incidents prior to Luke has been sober for many months “I speak to my sister and my nephews heroin and guns. It was a real Jekyll and part of the suite of services assisting in the course.” “Then I started to understand how which forced him to re-think his every day on the phone. My nephews Hyde upbringing,” he said. rehabilitating some of the state’s most other people might have also got relationships. told me their heroes are Batman and violent men. Lynne said Luke was an example of conditions – you know, like Post the Hulk... That made me happy, Luke said he grew up being babysat by what the program can do for prisoners Traumatic Stress Disorder – from my “My connections have been bound by because when I was that age, I looked his mother’s friends, all ex-prisoners. “He said exactly that,” Lynne who want to help themselves. actions. I read victim impact statements drugs and theft so I’ve got no friends up to murderers and armed robbers.” “They were the only role models I had. confi rmed. “And I thought ‘right, this and cried. to turn to when I get out. I call my old I’ve got memories of helping them needs to change’. So I told him he “Since opting-in to rehabilitative friends ‘drug addict people’ because unload ‘presents’ from the back of should start having meetings with me, courses, Luke has had no altercations “I had never thought about other they’re not real friends, you know? I the van and handing them to the kids starting that afternoon, to work through in two years. This is someone who was people. Actually…” he corrected need to fi nd new friends. How do you – surf clothes and stuff. It was like these issues.” involved in incidents on an almost- himself. “In fact I’ve never cared about make friends? Is it easy?” he asked, Christmas. weekly basis.” others, until recently.” genuinely. *Name changed for confi dentiality page page 7 8

Jacinta Marshall expert-level” skills after managing District Manager many complex cases in the region. Mt Isa Probation and Parole “My greatest personal and Service professional challenge has been working in my own community. Being “I had no idea what probation and local and holding many links to the parole was when I handed in my community can make the work diffi cult resume,” explained Jacinta. “All I knew at times, and does require careful was that I desperately wanted to help consideration in some instances.” my own community through my work. Jacinta explained that probation “When I got the job, it didn’t take me and parole offi cers must value long to realise that probation and relationships, value people’s lives, parole – in my own backyard – was the and be willing to “problem solve” for perfect role for me.” John Sullivan offenders. Custodial Correctional Offi cer Since 2012, Jacinta has worked at Mt “Certainly probation and parole Isa Probation and Parole where she offi cers must be able to think Wolston Correctional Centre assists and manages cases with a creatively in relation to offenders. “predominantly” domestic and family violence (DFV) offender population. “We want offenders to embrace opportunity to achieve success, “After 29 years in corrections, you in; they were bus drivers, they were prisoners contributed and gave “I’ve run into prisoners out in the “Violence in general is the most and we want to see these people could say I’m a workaholic. I love store workers - they were found all something back.” community before. They’ve approached common profi le for the area, with complete their necessary orders while the challenge of working in QCS, throughout society. It was important me, and we’ve spoken. They thanked cohorts of sexual offending and drug- contributing something valuable to and coming to this job is a challenge to explain that prisoners come from When asked about his return to high- me for the guidance and support. related offending,” Jacinta said. themselves and the community. every day,” says Wolston Custodial everywhere and from all walks of life, security correctional centre, Wolston, That’s when I believe I’ve seen a Correctional Offi cer, John Sullivan. and that giving them skills and the after spending so long at the work change, when they can genuinely and “As probation and parole offi cers, “Occasions where we can see our work opportunity to learn and rehabilitate camps, John says “there are many ways respectfully come to you out in society “I originally worked as an offi cer at the makes for a better society.” prisoners can change their lives,”. and say thanks, before going on their we are trained in confl ict resolution, making a difference makes our job Boggo Road Gaol. After its closure, way. defusing diffi cult situations, sex worthwhile.” offender management and addressing I commenced on the Prison Work John spent a lot of time in Warwick “I encourage prisoners to ‘get in’ and DFV. Program in the mid-1990s. Being a building the Women’s Work Camp. “I do what they can during their time “I cherish my job. People in this job Jacinta said she loved Mt Isa and Work Camp Supervisor meant that I was managed around seven prisoners who here. That might mean education, can, and do, make a difference, and would encourage anyone “wanting to overseeing groups of prisoners who carried out the project’s building work. or learning a trade, or completing that’s the thing that keeps me coming “I’ve used this training and experience assist the community, to learn, and to help a cohort of people that are were assigned to various building tasks We taught prisoners employment skills substance programs. It’s there for back. learn quickly,” to consider probation across Queensland,” he explains. that they could carry with them forever. the willing and for those who want to important to me. Reducing the over- and parole. change their path. “I believe that people should be representation of Aboriginal and In addition to management of “The prisoners I managed fenced thankful for employment, full stop. In Torres Strait Islander people in the “My favourite thing about Mount Isa prisoners, part of John’s role was to the Killarney showgrounds, as well “Many prisoners have never had an corrections, you have the opportunity probation and parole system is one of in particular is the mix between a explain to members of the public how as the Gatton Showgrounds, among education outside a correctional centre. to change people’s lives for the better, my goals.” bit of a city feel with the comforts of work camps gave prisoners a second many other projects. We built ramps, That contributes a lot to how a person and you’re challenged every day, so I’m restaurants and entertainment with chance to prove themselves, and to structures and other community grows and matures, and ends up in especially grateful for a job like this,” Jacinta said trying to offer a better the proximity of the outdoors. You give something back. objects. prison. There are many 50-year-old he says. future for people in her community could literally drive 10 minutes out of prisoners here who are learning how to was her priority, and that working town and get lost in the outback. That “The prisoners were from the very “The public could see how hard read and write. remotely has given her “broad and is what I love.” community that they were working we were working to make sure that page page 9 10

our people Our Probation and Parole Service is focused on the supervision and surveillance of offenders released into the community

Our offi cers supervise 20,000 offenders in the community across seven regions within Queensland and deliver a suite of rehabilitation and intervention programs.

Jordan Cotter meeting, Jordan says many of the meets with some of the more complex friend, but starting to get the money enables him to apply for rent, and get a Senior Case Manager “That was the aggrieved on the phone issues probation and parole deal with cases managed by Brisbane Central together for a space at a caravan park. mobile phone - things like that.” explaining that the offender was caught are “domestic violence-related”. Probation and Parole, including Craig*. His situation is complicated by his Brisbane Central Probation and on a drug-induced vehicle rampage relationship with his partner, a heavy “There might be a relapse. But the Parole Service and arrested after testing positive to “The prevalence of domestic violence Craig is homeless and has been in and drug user, Jordan says. seed is now planted. If you consider methamphetamine. hasn’t increased, I believe, but it’s out of prison over a decade. His original this,” pointing to the document with At the Brisbane Central Probation better reported now. There’s more charge was for a violent assault. There Like many other offenders, Craig has proof of his attendance at the drug and and Parole District Offi ce, Senior “My role from here is to recommend a knowledge around what constitutes have been several charges in the years been confronted with signifi cant health alcohol course. “This is evidence of Case Manager Jordan Cotter is typing course of action; the priority being the domestic violence,” Jordan says. since. issues. He is Hepatitis C positive and engagement. hurriedly while on the phone. safety of the aggrieved. The aggrieved Jordan is working with Queensland has assured me he has not gone near “Decades ago, domestic violence Listening to Craig is like listening to Health to organise a treatment plan. “It’s a big deal for someone with “Sorry, he’s running a bit late,” said her, therefore he is respecting the was considered a ‘civil matter’ and a muffl ed 1970s radio. It’s a mixture “I really want to make it all the way this literally no resources, no home, to put one of the other offi cers. “There’s been Domestic Violence Order (DVO) and something that occurred behind closed of drugs, upbringing and medication, time, Jordan.” in the effort to attend this course that an urgent matter with an offender. hence she’s happy to speak with me. doors. People turned a blind eye. according to Jordan. we asked him to complete. It’s a big He’s on the phone speaking to the ex- “That’s great to hear, Craig. I want you step. It shows he really wants to help partner.” “Together, she and I have agreed on “Now it’s viewed as a criminal matter “So Craig, how are you going?” asks to make it all the way, too. You’re doing himself.” a recommended plan including GPS – which is exactly what it is. There’s Jordan. This is Jordan’s fi fth meeting everything right so far. Let’s keep it up. Already, it’s clear that the matter electronic monitoring among other more support available and victims – with Craig since his release from a See you in a couple of weeks.” Jordan said the remainder of his day concerns one of Queensland’s biggest recommendations. I’ll put this case even witnesses – are more confi dent in correctional centre. consists of another offender meeting, hidden crimes: domestic violence. together and send to the Parole Board coming forward. Jordan explains Craig had never ‘made a few phone calls with stakeholders, Jordan, one of more than 860 probation Queensland for review and approval.” Craig explains to Jordan that he it through’ an order. There was always check-ups on curfews and the and parole offi cers working in 34 “Increasingly, we can reach people who has reached a one-month sobriety a relapse. But he’d received an email placement of a GPS monitor on a man Queensland district offi ces, confi rms It’s an intense introduction to one are isolated; for instance, if a homeless milestone. He reaches into his pocket from CREST (Community Re-Entry in his mid-20s. this. of Queensland Corrective Services’ domestic violence victim is coming out to unravel a sheet of paper, handing it Services Team) that morning with an equally intense, yet unsung, roles. of custody, we are able to discreetly to Jordan. alert that Craig had been approved for “This role has opened my eyes to the “Historically, this man has doused his Jordan says the best part of his job organise short-term accommodation for the additional support he needs. world. I get to work in an interesting partner in lighter fl uid, set her alight is “witnessing rehabilitation, and them without the partner knowing.” “Craig – this is great. You’ve completed environment, with incredibly interesting and threatened strangulation. They providing real support to the victims.” the drug and alcohol course. “Now that he’s been approved by staff members, and assist offenders in have been separated for a number of We arrive at a homeless Congratulations.” CREST, Craig can begin the process building a better life.” years, but he still lists her as his ‘next During the car ride to a stakeholder accommodation provider where Jordan Craig explains he’s living with a of applying for identifi cation, which of kin,’ and she still answers our calls. *Name changed for confi dentiality The importance have been made from discarded page plastic wrap from the industrial page 11 of cultural laundry that operates within 12 connectedness the jail. The entertainment program takes place in front of at the Lotus Glen two large marquees that have Correctional Centre been constructed onsite by prisoners within the industries The Lotus Glen Correctional workshops. There is a band, Centre (LGCC) is 25 kilometres multiple freestanding sculptures south of Mareeba. It and artworks, and a few hundred accommodates high and low- prisoners, staff and visitors security prisoners, servicing surrounding a large dance circle the Cape York Region including in the middle of the stage area. Cairns, isolated communities Daryl Joseph and Torres Strait Islands. Its Cultural Development Offi cer “I’m proud to be a cultural man,” Lotus Glen Correctional Centre Focus on: prisoner population is comprised says one Aboriginal prisoner, of approximately 70 per cent who is a prominent artist within Daryl Joseph – or DJ as he is affectionately Aboriginal and Torres Strait the jail. “This is about the boys Far Northern referred to by his colleagues (pictured Islander people. showing off their culture and above) – has worked at the Lotus Glen showing their true colours and Correctional Centre since 1992, where he Queensland Activities Offi cer Karl Smith respect for our culture.” (pictured bottom left) has started as a Custodial Correctional Offi cer. He also worked as an Activities Offi cer until worked at Lotus Glen for the past “Even though we’re in a jail, he joined the Cultural team in 2001, before three years. we have the freedom to be taking up his current role in leading the involved in cultural activities like team as Cultural Development Offi cer in “There is a signifi cant population NAIDOC,” explains one Torres 2011. of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Strait Islander prisoner. He Islander prisoners at Lotus, has assisted with planning the One of the most challenging aspects of and many of the activities we music, dances, and traditional DJ’s career has involved encountering coordinate here refl ect the artwork. “It’s really important multigenerational prisoners in custody value of connectedness to these to us because we are free to “whether it be the grandfather, father, cultures,” he explains. express ourselves.” son or more, but jail sometimes offers a connection to culture they would not The centre started preparations Visits from Elders assist ordinarily have. Particularly through access for last year’s NAIDOC prisoners in enabling a to the parental infl uences of Elders,” he celebration in May, with connectedness with their explains. prisoners engaging in two to culture, which can help with the three sessions of dance practice stress and isolation that can “Our Elders help the prisoners to fi nd the each week in the lead up. This accompany being in prison. was also an opportunity for the spirit to learn and maintain their culture – which is expressed through their dances, skilled artists within the prison “Cultural connectedness really music and artworks at events like NAIDOC.” to contribute to designing, matters,” says Torres Strait constructing, carving and Islander Elder, Aunty Leila “These dances tell a story – a history of our painting traditional artworks for Savage (pictured top right) from people – that is thousands of years old and display during the events. the Amaroo Justice Group. “There is so much talent in it has to be right when they retell it,” he explains. “The Elders who visit and teach here,” says Karl. “These activities Aunty has been visiting the aid in that.” all play a role in maintaining the centre twice a month for the order of the centre. When these past six years. “The boys in here guys contribute to something don’t have the exposure to their meaningful like NAIDOC, they culture. Our main role is to sit then go back to their units and talk with them. I don’t ask happy,” he continues. This any questions about why they’re assists in alleviating the day- in here. Sometimes all they need to-day stresses caused by is to talk to someone.” the reality of overcrowding in Queensland’s prisons.

The ingenuity and scale of an event like NAIDOC at LGCC is substantial. Dancers’ costumes page 13 The project changing the face of Aurukun

Senior Service Support Offi cer of the Aurukun and prisoners have been involved in the opt-in Reintegration Justice Project, Stuart Marquardt service. (pictured right), lives and works in the small community of Aurukun, and has seen fi rst The project is proactive, rather than reactive, hand how a supportive and communicative and works around eight months in advance. rehabilitation project can help shape “Police inform us when offenders enter the community behaviour. watch house prior to custody, and we then visit the offender at the location. “I’m a family man here, fi rst and foremost. And people in the community know me, which is an “Our support starts then and there. We’ll advantage,” he says. say ‘When you go to LGCC, look out for this particular person, because you can speak to The town of Aurukun once gained notoriety her about putting a plan in place for when you as having one of the world’s highest murder are released on parole’. rates. “Then, when the offender enters LGCC, they “Stealing vehicles used to be a very common know who to go to, and they know they have an opportunity to plan for life after prison, occurrence. Vehicles would be driven which provides incentive to display good through town, driven past people who were behaviour.” encouraging the behaviour, and then the vehicles would be destroyed by offenders with Stuart says when a prisoner’s release date cheers in the background of supporters. arrives, the LGCC representative will tell the prisoner to ‘get in contact with Stuart, he can “But over the past few years, we’ve seen support your plans to get back to work’. incremental positive changes in community behaviours. “And they do contact me,” he says. Stuart says that there has been an increase of prisoners “We’re now seeing a lot less of those taking up programs and courses to boost their situations, which is positive. Community views chances of employment post-release. are slowly changing, and I guess you could say that ‘anarchy’ is being controlled – a situation “The project is unique in its services, allowing that would’ve previously, years ago, escalated us to provide assistance to children and to “You get a chance to see the “There was a solid six months of into a violent riot very quickly, now tends to be adults, which enables us to intervene at an Geoff Robins more controlled.” District Manager impact your work has on families.” unrest where services to the region earlier stage,” he says. were increased signifi cantly. The Weipa Probation and Parole A key force behind the behavioural shift can “People who know this community State and the community came Incredibly, Aurukun has managed to largely Service be attributed to the Aurukun Reintegration know that it’s getting better.” together to address the myriad of avoid methamphetamine-related violence. Justice Project, which is a service dedicated issues faced by the town.” to supporting offenders and prisoners before, Weipa Probation and Parole “We have worked over the past three years to Geoff says the spaces in Aurukun during and after custody. As Stuart says, Service District Manager Geoff communicate awareness in the community have changed. They are cleaner, Aurukun has faced strong communities evolve, but prison environments Robins (pictured left) loves working about its effects, so people can be empowered free of litter, and the people are disadvantage but it wasn’t – and don’t change. remotely. working. still isn’t – beyond repair,” Geoff to keep away from the drug,” Stuart says. says. “We enter correctional centres – Lotus Glen He says the project will continue to see He says the Aboriginal and Torres Correctional Centre, for example – and “There are challenges with positive results, and feels honoured to be Strait Islander culture in Mt Isa, his we communicate how the community has delivering services in Far North and “QCS is a signifi cant contributor. part of such a supportive team and vitally hometown, and the issues faced by advanced during the time that the prisoner remote Queensland. We have a release monitoring important project. members of that community were group, which will deliver greater has been incarcerated. We explain what will be tolerated in the community, what won’t, and embedded in him from day one. “In 2015, a man was charged with supervision. We have a liaison “Some people have seen the success of this we set the expectations; the transition toward project, and are considering this model for murdering another man during the function within and out of custody. reintegration is critical, because you’re fi ghting Geoff started working in the far other regions. November riots,” he says. the behaviour that is ingrained,” he says. north Queensland town of Aurukun “If an offender is returned to in 2009. “I feel so honoured to be part of this project At those riots, a police vehicle was custody, the in-prison care Stuart says the team leads prisoners to and to be having a positive effect on the shot at, while another vehicle was management team works with the manoeuvre back into society in a positive way. “Working out here brings you back community. I’m grateful to be part of it,” he torched. offenders,” he says. says. to reality,” he says. The project offi cially began in April 2017 after years of voluntary work which pinpointed the dire need for the service. Up to 100 offenders page functioning, ethical community members as Substantive Field Supervisor at Innisfail Work 715 Camp,

“The highlight of my job was seeing a discharged prisoner offered employment. This job makes a difference.”

Darryl’s worked with the prisoners for the past three years, and seen hundreds of thousands of dollars in community man hours Bernard David contributed.

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager In August 2017, Darryl graduated with a Diploma of Correctional Administration from Apunipima Cape York Health Council the QCS Academy, “with the full support of my immediate manager and QCS,” he proudly says. “It took around one year, with a few How Cape York Health Council is hours of study most week-nights.” boosting region’s wellbeing “We provide labour for many regional projects and community areas, for example, In the two decades since its inception, Apunipima Cape York Health maintaining the cemetery, beautifi cation of Council has grown from a small advocacy organisation to the largest the river bank,” he says. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in Queensland. Darryl Gracie Field Supervisor “Faith in the future of the work camp concept and wanting to be in the correct place to assist Bernard David, pictured right, is Apunipima’s Social and Emotional Innisfail Work Camp Wellbeing Manager and said the programs run by Apunipima help in the possible expansion of the concept, gave me the motivation to study the Diploma.” people to cope with everyday life pressures. The organisation is Darryl Gracie (pictured above) is a 15-year a membership-based, community-controlled Aboriginal Health veteran of Australian Corrective Services, “It places me in a good position to guide Organisation responsible for delivering high-quality, culturally topping out in the Northern Territory as Chief the supervision of the Work Camp and its appropriate, comprehensive primary health care to 11 Cape York Training Offi cer, and proves that ongoing prisoners.” communities. education is a key to growth and success. Darryl says his job is to transition the “We provide a range of services that cover social and emotional health prisoners from a custodial environment to and wellbeing, including a wellbeing centre at Aurukun providing health, social and psychological service, and a cultural connection program for prisoners from Aurukun. and vegetables, and the other is full of the “I’m grateful that my Regional Supervisor saw lunchbox essentials, while the third trolley has a something in me, and offered me the role, mix of both. and I’m also grateful for the support that I’m “We facilitate group work and therapeutic interventions within secure given by my District Manager, and from my custody at the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, and we work with “Our grocery bill is huge. But with seven kids, colleagues,” she says. prisoners at the farm. it’s bound to be,” she laughs. Dianna and her husband have ‘opposite “Our team members teach ways to cope when socioeconomic pressures Dianna is a remarkable example of the QCS schedules’ allowing one of them to work, while bear down on you week on week, year on year,” he says. spirit. In amongst being a Case Manager for the other spends time with the children. Gympie Probation and Parole Service, she’s also “It’s about leading communities and protecting families.” a Court Offi cer – attending Court a minimum Dianna says she has wanted to be a foster of twice per week – and is a mother of seven parent ever since learning about her own family Bernard says the organisation also links with the Probation and Parole children in total. Dianna has four children of her history. “My father was adopted, and I would own and, together with her husband, fosters a always ask myself ‘would I be here today if dad Service to develop care plans and health checks, and works with the further three children. hadn’t been adopted?’ so from a young age, Community Re-Entry Services Team (CREST) to share resources to I knew I wanted to foster children, because I benefi t the region. Alongside her full time work and raising her understood the difference that it made. I wanted seven children, Dianna last year graduated from to give something back,” she says. With more than 150 staff, the Mossman Gorge Health Centre and the The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Kowanyama Mums and Bubs clinic, Apunipima is continuing to tackle Dianna Podetti with a Bachelor of Human Services, completing “QCS is a career for life, and the support in health inequality on the Cape. Case Manager the seven year part-time degree online in just place is a testament to that. Thinking back, Gympie Probation and Parole Service three years. university study was stressful in amongst my other duties, but all the struggles, time When Dianna Podetti (pictured above) exits the Dianna pointed to fl exible working restraints, and the ‘blood, sweat and tears’ were shops with her teenage sons, pushing almost arrangements in aiding her successful truly worth it,” Dianna says. three trolleys full of food items, people often do completion of study. “I’ve been really lucky to a double take. have had the opportunity to work for QCS,” she “The support offered to me by QCS and USQ has says. made this possible for me,” she says. “One trolley is usually full of fresh meats, fruit page page 17 18

We caught up with Brisbane Correctional Centre Custodial Correctional Offi cer, Sarah Cenan one year on from starting her

COEP training at the Academy Brisbane Custodial Correctional Offi cer, Sarah Cenan pictured with her parents on graduation day.

Tell us about training at the QCS I have furthered my skills in system there was a place for me. After Academy observation, patience and trying a few different avenues I spoke communication. I have learnt how to with a few friends who were in this Custodial Offi cer Entry Program graduates It was like going back to school; de-escalate situations to achieve best job and felt this might just be what long days and study, study, study. outcomes, and how to motivate others I have been looking for. I submitted Michael Gloger, Jade Fergusson and Yasmin Hobday The teachers were great and made to reach their full potential and take my application in November 2016 the learning experience interesting, steps to change their lives. and started at the Academy in January however, I still didn't really know quite 2017. Once I started at BCC, I knew I what to expect. What’s been a career highlight so far? had made the right decision. Yasmin Hobday, Jade Fergusson, and everyone does,” she says. Army, and QCS. Michael Gloger graduated from the When I started at Brisbane My career highlight so far has been What would be your advice for new Custodial Offi cer Entry Program (COEP) Jade Fergusson worked with New Zealand “QCS seemed to offer the same support, Correctional Centre (BCC) I knew I had watching and learning from one of the graduates and people looking to last year. Corrections before being drawn to QCS for the same challenging work environment, made the right decision. The staff were supervisors at my centre. I observed apply for QCS positions? its stability for his young family. similar training, and the same mateship helpful and friendly, and the prisoners her handle a situation with a prisoner All three have become great friends, as the Army, but allowed me to spend were polite. There are policies and in a polite, respectful and nurturing Research the role before you apply, but were each attracted to Queensland “The Queensland Corrective Services more time at home and less time procedures in place to assist you manner and was very impressed. At think about what may be involved in Corrective Services (QCS) for different program offers fl exibility, and I was travelling. in handling any situation, and the the QCS Academy we are taught that the job and ask yourself if you think reasons. attracted to that,” he says. training is ongoing. ‘my attitude is determined by your it would suit you. When you start “This role allows me to be home more, so attitude’, and in this instance, the training, make sure you come in with Yasmin Hobday studied justice before “To me, there’s more control over your it was a no-brainer.” Best part of the job? prisoner’s behaviour was able to be an open mind. Sit back, listen and commencing a career with QCS. career and personal growth in QCS, so I de-escalated due to the supervisor’s soak up everything. Your time at the didn’t hesitate to apply. New correctional offi cers complete 364 I am able to work to protect nurturing attitude. Academy is long, but important. It’s ‘It’s really not like the movies at all,” hours of training over a 10-week period, Queenslanders, have a great work/life building the foundations for your says Yasmin. “It’s hard work, but very “But of course, the adrenalin rush is the including two weeks’ practical on-the-job balance and do my ‘bit’ for the greater Have you encountered certain career. rewarding work.” same,” he says. training inside a correctional centre. good. situations where you’ve used specifi c skills learnt in your training? What Once you graduate do the same in “Prisoners are people, and deserve Michael Gloger drew parallels between his What specialist skills have you were they? your correctional centre. You will fi nd respect and humane treatment, just like previous artillery career in the Australian developed since becoming a CCO? a mixture of new and old staff, some Completing the Custodial Offi cer with more experience than others. Entry Program (COEP) builds the Listen to all of them! By listening and remote areas of Lockhart River, Coen Can you see the difference this course That’s great. So, what made you apply Probation and Parole foundations on how to react in certain learning from other staff it will enable and Napranum. It is my responsibility will make to your job? for the job with QCS? situations and what rules, legislation you to become the kind of offi cer you Service Professional to provide dynamic case management and regulations you need to follow want to be. to the offenders under my supervision, The Professional Development Program Since 2013, I served as a Custodial Development Program when reacting. I draw on the skills that ensuring that the requirements of the (PDP) provides an opportunity for Offi cer in the Escort and Security I learnt at the Academy every day, in Most of all, remember to be you, court and judiciary are met, whilst integration of both the theory and Branch (ESB) supervising offenders Q and A with Anyang Anyang, both work and life. I have drawn on my be honest and follow procedures. also managing the risks and needs practice. Since the trainees had the appearing before the Brisbane communication skills more times than Remember you are not there to Weipa District Offi ce of the offenders from various cultural opportunity to learn on the job prior Supreme and Magistrates Courts. I can count. punish, you are there to protect. backgrounds. While my role involves to the PDP, they bring into training an Protect the prisoners, protect the staff Anyang, thanks for sitting down with driving in excess of 15 hours a month, enriching and exceedingly inspiring The opportunity to engage with So, what motivated you to join QCS? and protect the community. us. In your opinion, what is the most and fl ying on small charter fl ights experiences. The sharing of experiences offenders in addressing their life satisfying part of your job? during storm season, I fi nd it exciting during the PDP helps trainees challenges and their offending from a I have always known that I wanted to to impact a meaningful change on appreciate that there is no singular different perspective motivated me to As a Probation Services Offi cer, I work in this capacity and I felt that offenders. approach to case management. join the Probation and Parole Service. supervise offenders in discrete and somewhere in the criminal justice page Our Research and “This role allows me to perform evaluation, 20 Queensland research and analysis, using rigorous Parole Evaluation Unit methodology to develop strategy specifi cally Where can you fi nd people who are in one place designed for the real world. It’s about making all day, with time to learn a new set of skills? The System The Research and Evaluation Unit was re- a positive impact and creating change through answer became clear to US-based charity Smart established in July 2017 in accordance with evidence-based practice.” Pups: In prisons. Reform Recommendation 23 of the Queensland Parole System Review. The purpose of the Research Tanya explains that the REU team aims to Smart Pups, which manages around 36 ‘pups’ and Evaluation function of QCS is to support focus on topics that are important to the across various facilities in the United States, the organisation to explore new opportunities work of corrections, with the goal of business approached the Maryborough Correctional Centre based on research and to evaluate programs improvement. “Our team is a collection of (MCC) to propose a partnership between the charity and initiatives to ensure operations are passionate people who have one goal, but and the facility. informed and effective. who each think differently, which is brilliant, because it means we can consider issues from The Smart Pups pilot program sees prisoners at the Dr Sandy Sacre is the Director, Research, all angles.” centre assisting with the training of assistance dogs Evaluation and Performance and provides that will go on to be paired with children who have oversight of the Research and Evaluation Unit Senior Advisor, Mel Conway has been with a disability or children who suffer from seizures to (REU) as part of her role. Dr Sacre comes from QCS for over fi ve years and joined the REU provide care and companionship. a psychology, research and clinical health team in September 2017. “With my front background. “I am excited to be involved in line experience as a custodial offi cer and Staff Training Coordinator, Lynette Steadman put the core endeavour of research and evaluation correctional psychologist, together with my her hand up to assist with the program, revealing at QCS, particularly at this moment in the research interest and experience, I bring a that her strong interest came from having a child on evolution of the agency. We are working both unique set of skills to the unit,” she explains. the autism spectrum and understanding the issues independently and in partnership with QCS faced by families. colleagues and university scholars, to forge a April stresses that dissemination of research strong culture of evidence-informed thinking fi ndings and evidence is an important part of “Many of these children are socially isolated, and and practice within QCS.” the work of the REU. “The team has initiated the presence of a trained dog as a companion monthly publication updates and a seminar and assistant can make daily life more bearable, As Manager of the REU, April Chrzanowski series, providing offi cers with presentations helping diffuse ‘meltdowns,’ and provide a friend,” leads the team and steers the many initiatives from researchers. she says. that the Unit is developing and implementing. April has a background in law, criminology On 14 February, QCS co-hosted a symposium Lynette says the centre now has eight labradors - and mathematics and has a passion for using event in collaboration with the Griffi th an increase from the original two - and the dogs administrative data to understand systems and Criminology Institute, where offi cers had the spend eight months with the prisoners learning processes to solve complex problems. opportunity to hear from leading national and six modules including rolling over, staying on international researchers in the fi eld. command, sitting down to ‘anchor’ a child that Tanya Strub brings a PhD in jury decision- may have wandered, opening cupboard doors, and The Maryborough making to her current role of Principal Advisor. performing high fi ves. Correctional Centre Research and Evaluation Unit, April Chrzanowski, Mel Conway, Tanya Strub and Sandy Sacre. “The dogs can roll over, stay on command, open kitchen doors, give a high fi ve and bark on assistance program command. Remarkably, the dogs can also detect seizures about 10 minutes before they occur,” she improving the lives of says. children with disabilities The pups spend four weeks in the centre followed by four weeks with Smart Pups completing the remaining public access training, and spend weekends with staff to gain ‘public access’ experience where dogs are taken to the movies, cafes, beaches and parks.

Lynette says the program can change prisoners’ thought patterns, can make them less selfi sh, more adaptable to change, and provides a way for them to take pride in giving back to the community.

Four pups have been fully trained by the prisoners and two pups – Wesley and Weylan – have recently graduated. Administration Offi cer Carlene Hunter and Staff Training Coordinator Lynette Steadman coordinate the Smart Pups program at MCC. With more than 13 kilometres of fi les site visits to conduct RecFind or page onsite at any one time, and more recordkeeping training and retention page than 600,000 offender fi les logged and disposal of records training, so 21 in recordkeeping databases, the it’s always great to meet QCS staff 22 QCS Central Archives team could at a probation and parole offi ce or give the world’s biggest storage correctional centre,” she says. companies a run for their money when it comes to effi cient, secure Records Management oversees the and friendly document management. secure containment of offender fi les (IOMS, Queensland Health, The vital Records Management Unit prisoner transfers, maximum lies within Offender Information security unit (MSU) and Dangerous Systems and manages all Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act information collected as part of QCS 2003 (DPSOA) fi les, while managing business operations, regardless of QCS operational fi les across human Tony Goodall the systems used to gather data or resources, fi nance, facilities, documents; they are the glue that dog squad, correctional centres, Correctional Supervisor holds QCS documentation together. probation and parole, QCS Academy and QSS. Wolston Correctional Centre Records Management staff implement recordkeeping legislation Files are stored at Central Archives and standards, provide advice, for approximately 12 months before A quick-thinking QCS Emergency on how to carry out the technique and training, manage daily operation and being relocated offsite. If a staff Response Group Commander and maintain his sister’s airway,” he said. maintenance of QCS record keeping member requires a fi le that is Correctional Supervisor who saved system RecFind and work with the marked to offsite storage, fi les can the life of a dying child on his way “Soon, a couple of my custodial Integrated Offender Management be requested using the RecFind home from a prison shift in Brisbane’s offi cer colleagues pulled up at the System (IOMS). Request function. west has refl ected on the event as the scene. They ran toward us, and it was proudest moment of his career. a great moment, and a proud one for The team also manages Queensland Katie says the Records team me, because they knew what to do. Central Archives received more than Shared Services (QSS) and QCS currently has many archiving Human Resources payroll and projects on the go, with jobs Commander Tony Goodall spotted

35,000 files in 2016 accounts information, and liaises including auditing older records, a “fl ash of something small” on the “They assisted by controlling traffi c with the Parole Board Queensland such as hundreds of boxes of side of a main road at Wacol in 2014, around the scene and looking out for There are more than and Queensland State Archives. decommissioned correctional centre minutes after he’d completed his the ambulance, as we worked to keep records. shift as Secure Unit Supervisor at the the young girl alive.” 600,000 records Records Management Information nearby Wolston Correctional Centre. kept in Recfi nd 6 Planning Manager Katie Fleming Tony said as the Queensland QCS stores more than says locating and collecting Tony realised two young children were Ambulance Service began to historical documents is a highlight injured after sliding off a toboggan approach the scene around 15 of the job. 300,000 into bushland on the side of an minutes later, the young girl began offender fi les “Preserving documents of past abandoned Wacol road, and one gurgling, and eventually breathing, signifi cance, and the satisfaction of the two children – a young girl – and she was then rushed onto the in being able to confi dently assist wasn’t breathing. ambulance. agency staff to correctly catalogue records, is rewarding. Ensuring He said he knew something was One week later, Tony saw the young records are searchable and wrong when he turned over the girl again in an emotional reunion. accessible into the future is also girl’s limp body and opened her eye important. “which was looking straight ahead, “She was alive,” he said. “This result absolutely still.” is the highlight of my decade-long “Additionally, the Records career in corrections. Management team is able to gain insight into all aspects of QCS from “Fortunately, my previous training the Probation and Parole Service (Custodial Offi cer Entry Program and “All of my training, and my time in through to Custodial Operations and Emergency Response Group) taught prisons, led me to that moment - to central offi ce, which increases our me everything I needed to know be able to save that young girl’s life,” knowledge of the Agency,” she says. about making an emergency situation he said. like this as safe as possible, as well Katie explains that she and the team as administering CPR,” Tony said. love being able to work with so many staff across Queensland. “I asked the girl’s brother to jump inside my car and grab my mobile “Our clients change frequently as a result of the team providing advice phone and we called the Ambulance. Records Management Unit to staff state-wide, so it’s great to be able to assist with queries from “She wasn’t breathing so in the Operational Support Services people in many locations. meantime I started CPR, and at the “We often receive requests for same time instructed the young boy CORRECTIONS News is published by Queensland Corrective Services GPO Box 1054 State Law Building, 50 Ann Street Brisbane QLD 4001 (07) 3239 3158 [email protected] http://news.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au