August 2011
Top award for computer wizard
“Tinkering around on the computer” has earned Sagafili Aupaau the award as GEO’s 2010 Employee of the Year. Better known around Parklea Correctional Centre as ‘Sa’, the affable 27-year-old is an information technology whiz.
Sa began working with GEO at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in 2007. In November 2009 the Ipswich-raised Queenslander transferred to Sydney and Parklea to take up a position as an information technology (IT) specialist during the early period of transition from state government operation to GEO management. “The move has provided more opportunity and more responsibility — it’s been great,” Sa said.
Since then he has been responsible for the introduction, implementation and roll-out of the GEO and Corrective Services NSW information technology systems for the centre as well as the myriad of challenges associated with various operational and administrative requirements.
Sa also coordinates initial and ongoing IT training programs for staff. Some of the projects undertaken upon his arrival at Parklea included the installation of all hardware and software at the centre as well as the telecommunications infrastructure. Sa also established an IT helpdesk, developed a more efficient pay system and accepted responsibility for the management of day-to-day IT issues.
“GEO executive management acknowledge the significant efforts and contribution made by Sa in his role as an IT specialist at Parklea,” said Pieter Bezuidenhout, The GEO Group Australia managing director.
“We had some significant challenges during the initial transition stage at Parklea and during the early months of operation and it would be fair to say that the contribution made by Sa and his dedication to his role in the provision of IT services was of great benefit to the centre.”
Four other finalists — selected from more than 1300 employees — shared the spoils in the 2010 GEO Employee of the Year award. These were correctional supervisors Peter Hughey (Arthur Gorrie) and Esther Dekkers (Fulham), Junee correctional officer Garry Carpenter and Pacific Shores Healthcare health services manager Joanne Hall.
“All five finalists are to be congratulated for their commitment to GEO, their initiative and leadership in the workplace and their capacity to continuously exceed the expectations of their role,” Pieter Bezuidenhout said.
At Arthur Gorrie, Peter Hughey is responsible for all movements both internally and externally from the centre’s reception store. He implemented a number of systems to increase efficiency and reduce costs and also reduced the number of prisoner complaints in relation to management of their property.
Esther Dekkers was nominated for her exceptional leadership at Fulham and in particular her dedication to the Pups in Prison program, which extended to coming to work on her days off to ensure the program was running smoothly.
Junee’s Garry Carpenter was nominated primarily for his outstanding commitment to the internal auditing process. The nomination highlighted his knowledge, positive approach and support for diverse and challenging assignments in various departments.
Joanne Hall successfully managed Barwon Prison’s medical centre after a difficult period and developed a strong Pacific Shores Healthcare team at the facility. She was then placed at Loddon Prison where she continued to demonstrate excellent leadership and sound clinical judgment.
Sa receives a $4000 travel gift card, $1000 spending money and up to two weeks special leave to be used with the travel prize as the GEO Employee of the Year. The other finalists receive a trip with a partner to the capital city of their choice (in either NSW, Victoria or Queensland), accommodation and $500 spending money.
An impressive body of artwork developed through the Colourful Dreaming program at Junee Correctional Centre (JCC) has been touring Riverina communities in recent months.
JCC, the Department of Environment, Water and the Arts and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Cultural Support Program joined forces to develop the Colourful Dreaming program to support Aboriginal children who experience parental incarceration. The program is facilitated by the SHINE for Kids organisation.
In conjunction with its support for this program, GEO built the SHINE for Kids Child and Family Centre within the grounds of JCC to enable children to visit their fathers in a non- confronting environment.
Colourful Dreaming combines Aboriginal culture and the expertise of SHINE for Kids to create a dynamic, effective and culturally specific program for Aboriginal children aged from 10 to 15 years.
The program encourages the children to explore their personal challenges through artwork and increase their sense of cultural identity. It also promotes positive contact between the children and their imprisoned fathers.
Colourful Dreaming employs an Aboriginal group worker and engages Aboriginal elders and artists to assist with groups of children.
A major aim of the program is to improve the life chances of participants and reduce the risk of future involvement in criminal activity by strengthening social support and cultural connections. Through the touring art exhibition, the program is also increasing public awareness of Wiradjuri culture.
JCC’s child and family centre opened early this year and is a comfortable environment for parents, carers and children to relax in before and after prison visits. The centre provides information and referrals to support services if needed.
Total turtle care at Arthur Gorrie
Breeding Australian ‘bush tucker’ including jumping crickets, brush roaches, meal worms and red claw crayfish to feed injured native animals is now a major initiative at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.
Prisoners in the centre’s Indy 2 unit are part of a partnership that Arthur Gorrie has established with the internationally renowned Australia Zoo and its Wildlife Warriors program.
The program was established in 2002 by ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin and his wife Terry Irwin to encourage individuals and organisations to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife.
Arthur Gorrie is providing food for the zoo's wildlife hospital and assisting in the rehabilitation of injured native reptiles.
The first two patients to arrive at the centre were turtles. One was suffering from a fractured shell and the other had a head wound caused by a fishing hook.
Prisoners are responsible for feeding the turtles and recording the pair’s progress while in care. They are also constructing portable enclosures for other injured turtles.
The program supports Australia Zoo and teaches prisoners animal husbandry skills and a level of responsibility that assists in their rehabilitation. Arthur Gorrie prisoners and staff are enjoying helping the first patients return to health and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of further injured reptiles.
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