Friday marks the inaugural Corrections Day which takes the community beyond the prison walls to hear the stories of the men and women of the NSW correctional system who rehabilitate inmates, keep offenders accountable and aim to reduce reoffending.

Lithgow Correctional Centre Governor Mick Dudley said that staff are not just walking through the facility keeping an eye on the 460 inmates.

He said they take on many roles including councillor, carer, receptionist and detaining them.

“It is about managing these offenders in a fair and humane way.”

CSNSW Commissioner Peter Severin said community corrections and custodial officers, industry and trade overseers, services and programs staff faced a tough and often dangerous job each day.

“Corrections Day is an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution of frontline staff, who supervise offenders and keep our community safe,” Mr Severin said.

“Custodial officers respond to more than 60 incidents each day across the state, such as contraband finds, assaults, medical issues and often unpredictable scenarios.

“Our officers’ efforts mostly go unnoticed by the community, because the work they do is behind the walls of prisons or the doors of community corrections offices.

Minister for Corrections David Elliott said correctional officers face situations that are similar to many other frontline officers, such as police and ambulance officers.

“Prison staff respond to fires in cells, break-up fights between inmates, as well as help address mental health and behavioural issues,” Mr Elliott said.

“They experience things that many of us will never see in a lifetime, but they act efficiently and professionally.

“Overseers who run industry and trade courses, as well as programs staff help with the inmate’s rehabilitation by providing guidance and skills that help turn their lives around.” More pages 5,6.