The Tasmanian Government’s commitment to strengthening and improving Tasmania’s corrections system has been further demonstrated by the graduation of 23 new Correctional Officers at a ceremony in Hobart today.
These latest additions to the Tasmania Prison Service workforce are part of a plan of continual and increased recruitment to future-proof corrections in Tasmania, which includes an investment of $355 million to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing facilities.
This month’s State Budget also provided additional recurrent funding of $33.7 million to the Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) across the forward estimates to assist with increased prison operating costs.
Correctional Officers play an important role in contributing to a safer community by maintaining safe and secure custody, and contribute to rehabilitation outcomes for inmates.
The TPS received more than 600 applications during this round of recruiting.
The recruits completed 10 weeks of intensive training, including written assessment, psychological profiling and health assessments.
Today’s class of 23 will be followed by another class of 14 who will start their training in early December 2020.