In this Role Insights series, we look at some of our most recruited for roles at Corrections and help to break them down for jobseekers.

 
For this article on Corrections Officers, we challenge some of the myths around the role and highlight the important work that Corrections Officers do with people in prison. 

What do Corrections Officers do?

So, first, what do Corrections Officers do? This is a broad question, as it may depend on where in the prison you are working. For example, some of our Corrections Officers are based at specialist units, or have particular roles such as working in Master Control.

But in general, Corrections Officers aim to motivate and support those in prison, while also ensuring safety and security. They may supervise prisoners’ routines, undertake security tasks, manage conflict, support connection with whānau, resolve issues and answer questions. Working at the frontline of the prison, they may engage with a range of other staff, such as nurses, psychologists, trade instructors and case managers.

“If you are looking get a qualification and a trade, Corrections is a trade to consider. The trade is conflict resolution, people management, and communication – this is the foundation of our role.” - Corrections Officer

What makes a great one?

Our Corrections Officers are the staff that people in prison interact with the most, so being a people person and strong communicator is essential. It’s also important to have good safety awareness and resilience, as situations can change quickly in the prison environment.

“You have to be a people’s person, you have to enjoy communication. You don’t have to be big [in size] but you do have to have a strong mindset. You’ve got to be non-judgemental and wanting to help.” – Corrections Officer

Finding meaning in the role

Corrections Officers are there with people in prison from the moment they arrive in prison, often until they leave. This creates a lot of opportunities during daily activities to have a positive influence. This can have important impacts when someone leaves prison – officers’ often comment on the pride that they feel when learning that someone that they supported on the inside is now doing well on the outside.

Working as part of a close-knit team of other officers, keeping each other safe and supporting one another, can also be a strong source of purpose for Corrections Officers.

"Listening and encouraging someone to make a better decision is a huge part of our day. The decisions can be as small as encouraging a prisoner to articulate themselves or as large as supporting their leaving a negative lifestyle." – Corrections Officer

Opportunities to grow

A big motivator in the Corrections Officer role is the many opportunities to grow. There are traditional career progression opportunities, such as becoming a Senior or Principal Corrections Officer. But there are also opportunities to try working in different areas of the prison or to take on specific roles such as prison negotiation or being part of the Site Emergency Response Team

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