Corrections Victoria Commissioner Emma Cassar thanked community corrections staff in Melbourne’s South East for making Victoria a safer place.
Cranbourne is home to one of nine community corrections offices.
“Melbourne’s South East has incredibly dedicated staff working across nine community corrections offices, who strive to make a positive impact on the lives of the offenders they work with each day,” Ms Cassar said.
“National Corrections Day is an opportunity to recognise the important role they play in reducing reoffending and making Victoria a safer place.”
Friday 18 January marks the second annual National Corrections Day, which acknowledges the men and women who make it their mission to rehabilitate offenders and maintain the security of our corrections system.
Community corrections staff manage offenders who are on parole or subject to community-based orders, providing critical monitoring and supervision while helping people to break the cycle of crime through rehabilitation and behavioural programs, community work and support services.
With many people entering the system with behavioural and mental health issues, or histories shaped by violence and abuse, community corrections staff must be resourceful, empathic and resilient.
Their communication skills help to build respectful relationships, and can make all the difference in supporting offenders to choose a different pathway.
There are 288 community corrections staff working in the South East Metropolitan Region, and many more employed by partner organisations.
“Community Corrections staff in Melbourne’s South East play a critical role in the justice system, managing and supervising offenders and providing the skills and support they need to reduce the risk of reoffending,” Department of Justice and Community Safety South East Metro executive director Gabrielle Levine said.
“They have challenging but ultimately highly rewarding jobs that help to improve safety for all Victorians while showing offenders the value of giving back through a wide range of fantastic community work programs.”
