The Corrections system is receiving a much-needed boost, with a significant increase in staffing levels to support growing demands.
Three recruit squads will add dozens of new Corrections Officers over the next three months and will play a vital role in maintaining safety within our prisons and across the community.
This week, Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley attended the march-out parades for squads 113 and 114 in Alice Springs and Darwin, where 17 recruits were sworn into their roles.
An additional squad of around 40 trainees is set to begin in January, further reinforcing the Corrections workforce.
"Our Corrections Infrastructure Masterplan is delivering expanded capacity, and this recruitment boost will help strengthen staffing levels to manage the growing prisoner population," said Minister Maley.
"Corrections staff are working under increasing pressure due to rising prisoner numbers, and we acknowledge the important job they are doing."
"This is not just a job, it's a career with purpose, with a focus on safety as well as rehabilitation and skills training to ensure prisoners leave the system more capable and productive than when they entered.
Since January 2024, more than 65 corrections officers have been recruited, bringing the total number of corrections staff to 692.
"The CLP Government is committed to supporting our corrections officers, and staff and ensuring they have the resources they need to meet the challenges ahead."
"We thank all of our dedicated corrections staff for their resilience and hard work in these demanding circumstances," said Minister Maley.
Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said the addition of more than 65 officers to the ranks over the past 12 months demonstrates a determined and focused recruitment effort.
"With ambitious targets set by the Minister, we're focused on ensuring the corrections workforce grows to meet increasing demand."
"Throughout next year, I anticipate further expansion across the entire corrections team, including corrections officers, clinicians, community corrections, and support staff," said Commissioner Varley.
