If a discipline-oriented career that involves supervising others appeals to you, then why not consider becoming a prison officer?

There are about 1,500 prison officers in Western Australia.

Just over 65 per cent of prison officers work within the Perth metropolitan area. About 8% work in the Great Southern Region, with the remainder scattered throughout the State.

Approximately 79 per cent of all prison officers are male.

All training is provided on the job.

Unlocking The Truth Behind Their Work

If unlocking and locking doors is all that springs to mind when you think about a prison officer at work, then think again. It's but one of a number of duties that prison officers undertake in their responsiblility for the custody, care and supervision of people in prisons and other correctional services.

Upholding discipline and security is an important part of the job. Prison officers observe and supervise offenders, ensure that they do not possess any prohibited substances or objects, and report on unruly behaviour. They check that cells, doors and windows are secure, and that offenders have been locked in their cells at the appropriate times.

However, they also deal with the health needs of offenders and advise if an offender needs special attention, such as a medical consultation. In addition, they handle administrative duties, including the reception and induction of prisoners, and assist in the rehabilitation of offenders by working with small groups on re-education and rehabilitation programmes. They may also be required to work as a field supervisor on a work camp.

Tasks vary according to the security level of the prison in which they are employed, e.g. whether it's the high security prison at Casuarina, or the minimum security centre at Karnet.

Recruiting The Right Person

Prison officers must be self-disciplined, assertive, have excellent conflict resolution skills, and be physically fit with good vision. It's also important to work well with a broad range of people and be able to follow orders.

''Honesty, professionalism, a sense of responsibility, being a team player and being considerate of others, are important qualities,'' says Drew Martin, former Director of Nyandi Prison (as it was then).


Department of Corrective Services, former Prison Officer Recruitment Manager Chris Barnes says significant improvements are underway in the administration of prison services in Western Australia, which will impact on the type of person recruited as a prison officer.

''These changes will ensure that prison service programmes are amongst the best in the world. Research indicates a trend towards focusing on custody and well-being, reparation and rehabilitation. Therefore, the Department is looking for high calibre staff who have good people skills, are able to accept responsibility, have good judgment and use their intitiative.''

Reducing the number of people who re-offend and return to prison is the overall objective of the Department of Corrective Services, which employs prison officers. Australian citizens and permanent residents who pass an Australia wide police clearance can work as a prison officer.

Prison officers are required to work on a shift basis within a planned roster system. This includes work on weekends and public holidays but can allow for up to six consecutive days off. The majority of shifts are of 12 hours' duration. Prison officers must be willing to work at any of the prison centres throughout the State.


The Outlook

Demand for prison officers is affected by the level of government funding for prisons and correctional institutions, crime levels, alternative strategies such as home detention, community service orders and the consequent size of the prison population. Vacancies generally only occur as existing staff resign. Typically, there are more applicants than positions, and competition for vacancies is intense.

However, current demand for prison officers in WA is high and this is anticipated to remain so in the long term. A Department of Corrective Services spokesperson says that capital works resulting in the creation of new cells, an ageing workforce and the current attrition rate not being catered for has resulted in a strong recruitment drive by the Department.

Training prison officers with the Department of Corrective Services undergo 10 weeks training during which time they earn $33,364. They then earn a shift rate of $47,113 which advances to $53,962 for more senior officers. For those working in regional areas, the renumeration is slightly higher and a regional incentive and relocation allowance generally apply.

To be a prison officer in the Department of Corrective Services you must also be the holder of a current Senior First Aid certificate and Class C driver's licence.

All applicants must sit a number of assessments including a literacy and numeracy test, attitudinal test, psychological test, and fitness and medical examination, which is then followed by a psychological interview.

Successful applicants must then complete an 8, 10 or 12 week training course through the Training Special Services Unit of the Department of Corrective Services. If successfully completed, trainee prison officers serve for nine months as probationary officers during which time they are carefully monitored by more senior officers.

People interested in working for Acacia Prison need to hold a current Senior First Aid certificate and traffic and police clearances. Applicants need to undergo a basic medical examination.

Human Resources - Acacia Prison
Locked Bag 1 Wooroloo WA 6558

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There's no doubt that Drew Martin has enjoyed amazing variety over nearly thirty years working for the Department of Corrective Services (formerly the Ministry of Justice). At one time he was instructing new staff who had never seen the inside of a prison, some time later he found himself involved in the running of Nyandi, a low-security female prison.

''I seem to move here, there and everywhere in this job. I certainly have job variety!''

While at Nyandi, Drew was responsible for the overall running of the prison, including managing staff, duty of care of prisoners, rosters and budgets. Working at an all-female prison raised different kinds of concerns compared to Drew's work in maximum security male prisons.

''There are more demands from female prisoners, regarding family matters. And, in the past, there were fewer opportunities for females than males in the prison environment. For example, males can move from maximum security to medium security, to prison farms, and females never had this opportunity. This has changed since Nyandi opened, and it is virtually an open prison. We are filling a very grave need helping integrate women back into family and social environments. There is even a mother/child unit where children can stay overnight.''

Although Drew loves his job, there have been some difficult and stressful situations during his career. Drew was working at Fremantle during the time of the infamous riots at Fremantle prison in January 1988 when many prisoners burnt down parts of the prison and held officers hostage. Some years ago, he was also involved in an overdose in custody, although thankfully he was able to resuscitate the prisoner.

''We always hear about the deaths in custodies, but we never hear about the people that a prison officer revives and saves. I know of one officer who has resuscitated three prisoners in her career.''

Obviously, a prison officer needs to be a person with maturity and tolerance of stress, especially when dealing with prisoners who are suicidal or inflict self-harm. Drew believes that it's also important to be very flexible, and approachable. And, of course, one way to deal with stress is with a healthy dose of humour.

''You'll find that most prison officers deal with stress with or through humour. This is what all instructors should push in the training of new officers. It's important, though, to have interests outside of work.''