Mid West prison officers set to remain local following successful recruitment trials in State’s south

Prison officer training will become more accessible for people in the Mid West, after the Department of Justice extended its training to the region after successful trials in WA’s Great Southern. The department was prompted to start a training school in the Mid West after 130 applicants were submitted at its Albany recruitment drive. Prison officers in training will be able to learn in Geraldton and work at Greenough Regional Prison if their application is successful. Corrective Services commissioner Brad Royce said local candidates were important because of the relationships they had created. “This is about attracting and retaining the best candidates for the job,” he said. “That’s often those who live locally, who understand local needs, with established relationships within the community. “The regional recruitment initiative will also help support businesses and the local economy.” In the past, prison officers in training had to complete three months in Perth, which stopped regional residents from applying, according to the Department of Justice. Senior training officer Riaan said it would be easier for people in the Mid West to sign up. “A lot of people have families and while they might make terrific prison officers, they can be reluctant to relocate to Perth for three months training,” he said. “Mid West prison officer recruits can now stay at home, connected with their friends, families and support networks while they learn the job in Geraldton, where they’ll work.” The Department of Justice said it will be able to keep 20-30 recruits in the Mid West as a result of local training. Information sessions will be held at Greenough Regional Prison on May 7 and 8 from 5.30pm to 7pm. Anyone interested in attending will need to register online at justice.wa.gov.au/prisonjobs