June 2008

Junee celebrates 15 years

Junee Correctional Centre (JCC) has celebrated its 15th anniversary. The first correctional centre in Australia to be privately designed, constructed and managed, JCC has set a high standard for private prisons and has been managed continuously by GEO through a re-bid and two contract extensions.

The GEO Group Australia managing director Pieter Bezuidenhout gave the keynote address at a recent celebratory dinner. He said five key stakeholders — the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services, employees, suppliers, inmates and the local community — would ultimately judge JCC’s continued success.

Celebrating the achievement were more than 250 staff and guests including 34 employees who have been at the centre since it opened on 19 March 1993. All staff received an anniversary magazine and the 34 ‘originals’ received special gifts.

During the evening some amazing figures were presented including the fact that over 15 years JCC has served 11 million meals, provided 1.4 million medical appointments, delivered 250,000 hours of community work, achieved one million days of prisoner work, provided 180,000 days of education and training, received 45,000 prisoners and 200,000 visitors, and injected over $300 million into the local community.

“Staff, community members, government agency representatives, service deliverers, visitors, inmates and other stakeholders, have all made a significant contribution to the story that is Junee Correctional Centre,” said general manager Dom Karauria. Back to news

Awesome foursome win awards

The finalists of the 2007 GEO Employee of the Year award — (from left) Jeffrey Cooke, Michael Breese, Trevor Coles and Phillip Pedder.

When Trevor Coles, at the age of 41, nervously gave up his management role in the electrical industry in Wagga Wagga to complete a course in welfare and community service as a full time student, he had no idea about future employment opportunities.

“Except that hopefully I would be helping people,” he said. Five years later he is The GEO Group Australia’s ‘Employee of the Year’. As a through care specialist at Junee Correctional Centre he and colleague Catherine Parmenter are responsible each year for assisting almost 800 inmates make the transition to life after Junee.

At the 2007 Employee of the Year awards ceremony held recently in Sydney, Trevor received a glass-beveled award, $4000 travel voucher, $1000 spending money and two weeks additional leave from managing director Pieter Bezuidenhout and executive general manager human resources Pierre Langford.

Trevor was selected from four remarkable nominees for the annual award. Also nominated were Jeffrey Cooke of Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, Phillip Pedder from Fulham Correctional Centre and Michael Breese, who works at Melbourne Custody Centre.

The other finalists received an interstate trip for two, incorporating a visit to another GEO centre, and $700 spending money.

“To be nominated as a finalist in our annual awards from more than 1100 employees is a magnificent achievement,” said Mr Bezuidenhout. “I thank them for their commitment and admire them for their ability to consistently perform at a high level in their respective roles.”

During 2007 each GEO business nominated an Employee of the Month or an Employee of the Quarter and the finalists were selected from these nominees.

Trevor’s nomination was supported not only by the management team at Junee, but also by testimonials from a number of Junee employees and external stakeholders. Comments included: “… shown dedication, enthusiasm, initiative and inspiration in not only his through care role, but also as a supportive team member of the Offender Services Team.”

For payroll officer Jeff Cooke, who has been with the company for 15 months, his selection still mystifies him. “I was just doing my job,” he said.

Comments from his nomination were more specific: “… works tirelessly to ensure that staff get the best possible service … a hallmark of Jeff’s work is his attention to detail.”

A former corporal in the British army, Michael Breese has been at Melbourne Custody Centre for two years and was nominated in his role as shift manager.

“I think the experience in the army has been a huge help. It taught me to be level headed in difficult circumstances and also how to manage people,” Michael said.

Comments from his nomination included: “Demonstrated enthusiasm and leadership traits which are articulated in his daily duties … willingness to undertake higher duties.”

The work that Phillip Pedder’s ‘Nalu Bush Gang’ carried out following the floods and king tides that ravaged parts of Gippsland won him Fulham’s nomination.

“The flood relief work and the construction of new ramps and walkways along the beach certainly assisted the local community and gave us all a tremendous thrill and sense of satisfaction,” he said.

A correctional officer for five years, Phillip’s nomination said he: “… has a strong rapport with the young offenders at Nalu and it is this relationship that aids their rehabilitation and reintegration.” Back to news

Cultural centre meets diverse needs

Junee Correctional Centre (JCC) recently celebrated the opening of its Yindyamarra Cultural Centre. Recognising the diverse cultural needs of the prisoner population, the team at Junee worked closely with inmates and representatives from the community to design and construct a centre that will play an important role in assisting prisoners to build better lives.

More than 120 guests attended a vibrant opening ceremony with presentations by Aboriginal and Islander dancers.

The centre was established under the guardianship of the Wiradjuri people to provide a culturally appropriate venue for a range of educational, spiritual and cultural activities. It also enables external agencies and local elders to work with inmates in a setting that encourages positive outcomes.

Wagga Wagga elder aunty Gail Manderson says the centre provides an opportunity for prisoners to reconnect with their communities and cultures and move on from the past.

“It’s a new beginning for the boys. It will give them some peace,” she said.

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