SEPTEMBER 2007

Arthur Gorrie tender success

GEO Australia has won a competitive tender to operate the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Queensland for the next five years.
The long-term agreement with Queensland Corrective Services will be effective from 1 January, with the option of a five-year extension at the end of 2012.
The high-security correctional centre has been managed by GEO Australia since it opened in 1992 and GEO is currently overseeing the expansion of the facility, which will become an 890-bed remand centre from the start of the new contract.
GEO Australia’s managing director Pieter Bezuidenhout said the awarding of the tender was a testament to the company’s professional management of Arthur Gorrie for the past 15 years.
“We are very pleased that the government has shown confidence in our ability to continue the management of one of the largest and most challenging prisons in the state,” he said.
“We look forward to working with Queensland Corrective Services in the next few months on the transition into the new contract and taking onboard Arthur Gorrie’s new role as the remand centre for South-East Queensland.”
GEO will continue to look after some of Queensland's most notorious prisoners at Arthur Gorrie's 18-bed maximum-security unit, but the prisoner reception function will be handed over to the Brisbane Correctional Centre.
The minister for Corrective Services Judy Spence announced the decision on the tender in State Parliament on 4 September, saying she was confident that GEO Australia would continue to maintain the high standards of management at the centre.
“Queensland was the first jurisdiction in Australia and one of the first outside the United States to contract the management of prisons out to the private sector,” she said.

Work is already under way to build a new 180-bed accommodation unit at Arthur Gorrie that will expand the centre’s capacity to 890 beds.

GEO takes leadership role

GEO Australia has become a ‘corporate leader’ for the Commonwealth Indigenous Employment Project — a partnership between the Australian Government and private sector companies to develop a strategic approach to generating more jobs for indigenous Australians.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations invited GEO to become a corporate leader earlier this year as a result of its existing supportive framework and commitment towards the employment of indigenous people.

As a corporate leader, GEO has signed a commitment to:
• develop an indigenous employment strategy for the company
• promote indigenous employment opportunities within the workforce; and
• actively seek to place indigenous employees in suitable vacancies as they occur.

In return, GEO will have the opportunity to network with other state and national corporate leaders and will have access to structured training and employment projects funding for the placement of indigenous workers into the corrections industry.
GEO Australia’s managing director Pieter Bezuidenhout said this milestone recognised the company’s commitment towards indigenous people and the achievements of its cultural centres at GEO facilities.

Shining stars take out awards

The race for the 2006 Employee of the Year award was just too close to call. The high calibre of nominees resulted in a photo finish with Kim Mattson from Fulham Correctional Centre and Ashika Sagar-Narain from Melbourne Custody Centre declared joint winners.
President, international services Don Keens, and GEO Australia’s managing director, Pieter Bezuidenhout, presented the awards and prizes at a function held at head office on 15 June.
Kim Mattson impressed co-workers and management in the first few months of her employment as the rosters officer at Fulham Correctional Centre. Having been responsible for rosters for up to 1200 staff in a previous position, coordinating and satisfying the needs of Fulham’s 285 employees posed no problem.
Kim’s enthusiasm, diligence and eye for detail ensured that she became a respected member of the administration and operations team at the centre. She was also acknowledged for her work in developing and implementing a new operational staff roster.
Ashika Sagar-Narain is a “shining star” according to centre manager John Nicoll.
“It is Ashika’s energy, interest in learning and willingness to assume additional responsibility that has made her an invaluable asset to the Melbourne Custody Centre team,” he said.
With a background in administration and public relations, Ashika and her family moved from New Zealand in 2004. She started work at the centre as a temporary employee, and was later offered a permanent position as administrative support officer.
“It is quite often Ashika’s steady, calm attitude that keeps the staff sane in this somewhat frenetic workplace,” says registered nurse Amanda Smith. “Her New Zealand humour and bizarre food cravings make me smile on a daily basis.”
Both winners received a glass-beveled award, a $4000 travel voucher, $1000 spending money and two weeks additional leave.
The three finalists from other centres were awarded certificates and prizes. Each received an interstate trip, incorporating a visit to another GEO centre, and $700 spending money.
Bernard Patterson, a correctional officer at Arthur Gorrie was nominated for his excellent rapport with prisoners. He was seconded to the Intel Department as a correctional manager last year and “displayed outstanding leadership, analytical abilities and is an excellent role model”.
At Pacific Shores Healthcare, Gillian Noulton, a registered nurse at Loddon Prison was nominated for her outstanding performance and dedication, including acting as health services manager for extended periods.A ‘can-do’ attitude, enthusiasm and a great work ethic earned the Junee nomination for Sidd Mehta. His work colleagues praised his professionalism and his abilities as a mentor and leader.