EVER wondered what it’s like to work in prison?
Most people have a very particular idea – high walls, long and dark corridors and heavy security. The reality is that working in a prison is so much more.
United by a desire to protect the public and change lives for the better, Victoria’s prison officers are as diverse as the communities they serve.
From tradies and teachers to healthcare workers and retail staff – it’s a career that attracts people from all walks of life, but few know what the role of a prison officer actually entails.
Prison Officer Eloise shares her story.
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“Every day is different. I help to ensure the smooth running of the prison, including tasks such as supervising people in custody and supporting positive behaviour change.”
Eloise always dreamed of turning her passion for true crime and psychology into a career. After studying a Bachelor of Criminal Justice and a Graduate Diploma in Forensic Behavioural Science, she wanted to put everything she learned into practice, so left her job in retail to join Corrections Victoria.
Eloise had no idea how much her retail experience would equip her with the skills required to build relationships with people in custody in her unit at Hopkins Correctional Centre.
“As a prison officer, you communicate with people from different backgrounds and these are skills that I gained working in customer service roles in retail. All my colleagues have their own techniques to get to know the people in their care and I often use humour to encourage them to open up.”
Looking for something different? The skills you already have can help you make a positive impact as a prison officer. New prison officers are now eligible for a sign on bonus of $5,000* and 41 days of paid training are provided before the first day on the job. Find out how you can be part of a team reshaping lives at: https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/prison-careers.
*Conditions apply.