Corrective Services Academy staff will take the three-month training course on the road and travel to Albany, Geraldton, and Kalgoorlie Boulder to train local recruits for the regional prisons.
In the past, prospective recruits needed to complete the training in Perth, with distance and time away from home a barrier for some.
“Rather than taking 20 or 30 people out of the community for three months, we’ll send our people into these regions,” Commissioner of Corrective Services Brad Royce said.
“This will not only boost local employment it will also support local businesses in and around Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.”
Commissioner Royce said prison officers work alongside educators, health specialists and vocational staff to help prisoners along their rehabilitative journey.
“I am looking for people to have some passion about the important work we do in prisons. It’s about giving prisoners the skills they need to reintegrate and lead a productive life,” he said.
Successful applicants are paid $66,658 per annum to undertake the prison officer training course increasing to $86,156 - $97,107 (plus superannuation) upon commencement of work.
Albany Regional Prison Superintendent Steve Pedrick said it’s expected the innovative approach will attract and recruit people who want to live and work locally.
“Training here will cut down on costs and applicants can be with their families while they get the same skills and qualifications to be a prison officer,” he said.
Albany is the first of the regional centres to hold information sessions about the new prison officer training initiative.
For more information visit the Prison Officer page on the Department of Justice website.
