Testimonials

• “I joined 15 years ago. A lot of things have changed, particularly staff attitudes towards new recruits. We now like to help train staff and mould them wherever possible. The training nowadays is also much better than it used to be. I enjoy my current role – my days are full and I work with a great crew of staff. We co-ordinate all reception, discharges and visitors. Safety has never been an issue for me in fact I have felt ‘less safe working in a bar in the past than I do working behind bars'. What I would say to new starters is that while the work is good, they need to be prepared for how shift-work changes your life – you need to prepare your family for this change.”
  Female Senior Prison Officer

• “Before I joined Corrections Victoria I worked as a plumber. I joined for the job security which was important at that time of my life – 21 years ago. I worked in a number of different prisons including Pentridge and also worked with female prisoners. I enjoy the diversity of the job – no day is the same and the job is always challenging. I see myself as an agent of change and within the prison system things are constantly changing so you have to be adaptable. It's hard for people outside the prison system to know what the work is like. It's nothing like “Prisoner”, the TV show. There are no jackboots, and you don't have to be huge to be a Prison Officer. But the job is diverse and I enjoy the camaraderie. I'm proud to wear the uniform of a Prison Officer and have never been ashamed to wear it outside.”
  Male Senior Prison Officer

• “I used to work as a computer technician but 15 years ago I applied for the job because I was looking for a new challenge. At the time I didn't know what I was in for, but I love the job and enjoy the challenge and rewards especially when you can help offenders through programs and you get a ‘thank you' at the end of it. If you have assisted in some small way so that they don't return to prison, you feel as if you have done your best. Women often ask me if I feel safe, but I have never put myself in a situation where I feel unsafe, plus there are always other team members around. It's about communication – you need to be open-minded in everything and communicate with people at all levels.”
  Female Prison Supervisor

New Prison Officer Recruits

• I saw the advert in local newspaper – the advert ‘hit home' especially the ‘life experience' aspect.  I'd never considered a job as Prison Officer before but was always on the lookout for jobs, and had been working at a rent-a-car company at the airport, full-time, washing cars.  I worked previously for a telecommunications company. I thought I would never get another job at my age.
  I rang my daughter and discussed the job with her. Then I went to an Information Session which was very helpful. My daughter helped me fill out the online application as I didn't have very good computing skills. I had to really think about the job application, but I did it in one hit.
  The training was hard at first but I really enjoyed it.
  Male, aged 44


• I've been in Australia for 3 years. I was talking with a neighbour who had started in a Prison Officer training squad earlier in the year. I'd never thought of working as a Prison Officer before. By coincidence, I saw the advertisement 2 days after speaking with my neighbour. I had a previous perception of the role as ‘lock ‘em up', like on TV, not as actually working ‘with' prisoners. In Germany I worked in an employment office and enjoyed working with people.  I noticed that ‘permanent residents' could apply – you didn't have to be citizen.
  I went to an Information Session which was really helpful and I applied after the Information Session. I enjoyed the training and would encourage others to apply. I tried to encourage a friend to apply, and tried to explain how the job really is. I've met some very good Prison Officers who seem to enjoy their job.
  Female, aged 32


• I worked previously at an Immigration Detention Centre. I had spoken with former Prison Officers who gave me positive stories. I'd been thinking about the job and looking in the newspapers – I knew there were jobs coming up with new prisons being built.
  I was impressed with the wording in the advertisement, especially that I didn't have to have any particular background for example, military, and that it was opened up to everyone. I knew that I had the skill sets required. I found the website good and easy to navigate. I went to an Information Session in the city, and got enough information about prisons from Prison Officers who spoke about their experiences.
  The training was brilliant – very interactive, fun. I've encouraged others to apply.
  Female, age early 30s


• I knew people who had joined previously. I spoke to a male friend (a previous recruit) about the job who loved the job. I'd been at home with children for 4 years, not working full-time, and wanted a change of career but I didn't know what. I previously worked nights in restaurants, before that in a Credit Union, and had done an apprenticeship in the printing trade.
  A friend told me that Corrections Victoria was advertising. I went to website, which was more detailed than I expected – I went straight to the application – but I also looked at the rest of the website. I thought I had the right personality as I don't get frazzled, I'm even-tempered, not shockable and not highly strung.
  I basically made an impulsive decision to apply. My friends and family thought it strange – my husband was not enthusiastic.
  The training was good, what I expected, but more involved with psychological behaviours than I expected which I am glad of. I'd recommend that other people apply, especially someone wanting a new career or after a challenge or something different.
  Female, aged 33


• I previously worked in a quality assurance role for 10 years in the food manufacturing industry. I was looking for something different and I wanted to work with people in a customer area rather than an enclosed environment for example, procedures.
  I saw an article about a female Prison Officer in the newspaper. I read the article and then went to an Information session. Then I went to the website and read about the jobs. Before the Information session I had a stereotypical view of what the job was, for example, what you see on TV, abuse/insults etc. I thought the environment was rougher. At the Information Session I asked general questions about what the job involves, hours, training, career etc.
  The training was challenging – focused more on people and background. It took me a few days to realise that it's about dealing with people but I felt able to do the work straight away. 
  I would recommend the job to others – especially those who can relate to people, are comfortable with themselves and their values, and have good communication skills. You can come from any background – as long as you have people skills. You don't need a degree or specific background.
  Male, aged 32


• I had been self employed and decided to apply for the role of Prison Officer as an opportunity to work with people and because I needed a new challenge.
  My wife was supportive; however my parents were apprehensive about the new role.
  I enjoyed the training and felt comfortable during my prison placement. Before joining Corrections Victoria, I only had a vague idea about the role.
  I've already suggested the job to my brother-in-law.
  Male, aged 39

Past Prison Officer Recruits

• “I recall a General Manager at the Melbourne Assessment Prison saying ‘forget their crimes for a moment and consider that the people we are dealing with are broken people.' Those words had a big impact on me and though you will be reminded time and time again that we are responsible for the security, good order and management of the prison, you will soon find that we are much, much more.”

• “My biggest learning curve during placement was in observing the communication between officers and prisoners. Overwhelmingly the communication skills of officers were a feature. People, dealing with people. Most of these people haven't managed their lives very well but nevertheless respond well when treated with some dignity.”

• “Initiative is a good thing – and valued – but I armed myself with a little humility, which goes a long way when you are working with skilled staff who have years of experience under their belts.”

• “You will be at some stage informed of the degree of boredom in the job. I will say to you that the job is as boring as you let it be or as interesting as you care to make it.”

• “Along with the feature of teamwork, I found the two-week placement to be the most meaningful aspect of the pre-service training. I was anxious, but I knew that this period would answer questions I couldn't put into words and questions that others couldn't have answered for me anyway – things I had to experience.”

• “Don't get me wrong, some of these prisoners will continuously endeavour to challenge you every step of the way in their quest for little victories. A prisoner may thank you one day when they realise they are changing their reactions to their behaviour.”