More than 800 NT Correctional Services men and women are being recognised today for their work to help keep NT communities safer as a part of National Corrections Day.

These quiet achievers work with many offenders with some of the most challenging and complex needs at the Northern Territory’s four custodial facilities and in the community with people on supervision orders.

NT Correctional Services Commissioner Scott McNairn said he was proud to have an opportunity to recognise the hard work, dedication and professionalism of correctional services employees throughout the NT.

‘National Corrections Day is an opportunity for employees to come together and pay tribute to colleagues and to have their families join them to share in the day’s activities’, Mr McNairn said.

‘Our people are our most important asset because they enable prisoners and offenders to make better life choices and help their successful reintegration back into society.

‘It’s not only our employees who make a difference. Our partnerships with community groups and Aboriginal Elders are essential in building our cultural competency and improving our education and life skills programs’.

This year’s theme is ‘Transforming Through Correctional Reform’.  Initiatives under the Corrections Reform Agenda to improve outcomes for offenders and increase community safety include implementing the Responsible Prisoner and Offender Model and throughcare case management for all prisoners.

A new NTCS Operational Philosophy has defined the vision, values and directions of NT Correctional Services and sets a benchmark for all future operations.

National Corrections Day events are scheduled at the four custodial facilities - Darwin Correctional Precinct, the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, the Barkly Work Camp and the Datjala Work Camp. There are also events at the Community Corrections offices in Alice Springs, Katherine, Wadeye, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston.

NT Correctional Services fast facts 2018-2019

• 836 employees including 511 men, 325 women with 79 identifying as Aboriginal.
• 702 employees in Custodial Corrections and 134 in Community Corrections.
• 79 Trainee Correctional Officers completed their certificates and nine Probation and Parole Officers were recruited.
• 4102 prisoners were received into custodial facilities and 1848 offenders were received into the supervision of Community Corrections.

Media contact:  Christine Bond  | 0447 767 101.