Twenty-two new Correctional Officers are being officially welcomed into the Tasmania Prison Service today after completing 12 weeks of intensive training.
The Hodgman Liberal Government has been recruiting additional TPS staff to better support existing staff and address out-of-control overtime costs which became apparent in 2011 and 2012.
The 22 Correctional Officers graduating today are the latest in a total of 65 new staff in the TPS in 2014 and 2015.
The Liberal Government has also provided additional funding of $9.2 million to the TPS in 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Today’s graduation is the completion of an intensive twelve week training course for these 22 new officers. They will commence work as Correctional Officers on Monday, 7 September.
They join a skilled, dedicated and professional workforce who do a difficult but incredibly important job for the community.
I want to again acknowledge the dedication and commitment of TPS staff through what has been a difficult time over recent months.
Both myself and TPS management are committed to doing everything we can to ensure both staff and inmates are safe and well supported, and recruiting additional Correctional Officers is an important part of that.