The largest group of new Correctional Officers in South Australia's history has graduated this month, ready to use their skills and experience in prisons across the state.
A record 32 graduates – part of Course 211 – will join workforces at all six public prisons, helping to ensure the safety of prisoners, fellow officers and the community.
The diverse cohort includes:
- 19 men and 13 women, ranging from 20 to 58 years old.
- Aboriginal, African, Brazilian, Indian and Vietnamese cultural backgrounds.
- Former careers in the Australian Defence Force, security, immigration, mental health and disability support, administration, customer service and law.
The group has completed eight weeks of classroom-based training, four weeks of in-service training and nine months in probationary roles.
Each new Correctional Officer will play an important role in driving down South Australia's reoffending rate, which continues to be the lowest in the nation.
This is the first group to graduate in 2025 and tops the previous graduation record of 30 recruits.
The cohort also graduates with new knowledge in autism after completing autism awareness training, delivering on the Department for Correctional Services' commitment to the state's first Autism Inclusion Charter.
Images of the group, including new graduate Bruno, are available here.
The next group, due to graduate in July, boasts 35 new Correctional Officers – making it an even bigger cohort than the current record course of 32 recruits.
It follows 110 graduates starting work in our prison system last year – an increase from 99 graduates in 2023.
The Malinauskas Government's renewed focus on recruitment of Correctional Officers is helping achieve its target of reducing reoffending by 20 per cent by 2026 (20by2026).
DCS delivers a series of targeted measures to support these efforts, including recruitment campaigns, information nights at Cadell and Port Augusta prisons and engagement with multicultural communities in metropolitan and regional areas.
As put by Emily Bourke
Our growing Corrections workforce is breaking recruitment records.
The skills which officers learn keep South Australians and prisons safe while supporting prisoners' rehabilitation.
This group is not only the biggest we've seen, but they are graduating with new knowledge in autism.
South Australia has the lowest recidivism rate in the country and the vital work of Corrections staff is a driving force behind this.
As put by Department for Correctional Services Chief Executive David Brown
Attracting and obtaining high staffing levels ensures that our Correctional Officers can perform their duties in a safe environment.
Continuing to increase our workforce helps us maintain progress towards the Government's target of reducing reoffending by 20 per cent by 2026.
A career with the Department offers many different opportunities, such as working in an area of interest, developing new skills and moving up into more senior roles.
As put by new Correctional Officer and graduate, Bruno Garibaldi
I was working as a lawyer in Brazil and once my wife and I had permanent residency in Australia, I felt it was time to return to my roots in law and justice.
I became a Sheriff's Officer in Port Lincoln and a friend of mine who works for DCS suggested I should apply to be a Correctional Officer.
The transition from Courts to Corrections has been challenging and rewarding – the focus here is not just on enforcement, but also on rehabilitation and reintegration.
I have enjoyed getting to meet different people, working with a great team and having the opportunity to help prisoners in a new environment.
There are so many professional growth opportunities in the Department, and I personally would love to become a Supervisor.
I recommend to anyone thinking of becoming a Correctional Officer to apply for it, because you can make a difference and every day is different.
