Correctional Services

The Correctional Services industry plays a major role in the management and supervision of offenders in prisons, juvenile and immigration detention and parole services.

Within the correctional services sector there is the aim to reduce the risk of re-offending through offering education programs, transition programs and supporting offenders physical and mental health wellbeing to assist in successful reintegration.

What does this industry cover?

There are currently over 110 Custodial Facilities in operation in Australia.

There has been a 50% increase in prison population over the past decade which has seen some changes in legislation to enable electronic monitoring in home detention to reduce overcrowding and imprisonment costs.

Passive Alert Detection Dogs (PADD) are now being used to assist with detection of smuggled goods and help to control bad behaviour in prisons.

Digital and ICT communication including emails and videoconferencing, application of cloud-based technologies, GPS, radio frequency and drone operation are all new technologies that are being utilised within the correctional services.

Job hunting preparation

Occupations in demand in the Correctional Services are: Correction Officers, Correctional Management, Youth Workers (Justice and Custodial Officers), Clinicians and Case Managers.

Skills in demand in the Correctional Services are: Cultural Competence, Health and Safety, Security, Digital Literacy and Trauma Informed Care.

People working in this industry should be prepared to work shifts, day and night including weekends and public holidays. You will not be employed if you have a criminal record or criminal history.

Typically training commences once you have been employed. The GEO Group Australia, one of the largest employers in this industry, has some handy videos on what it takes to secure employment.

Information for further research

Industry information is published by peak level associations, government and major employers. Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry. Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.