Beechworth Correctional Centre

Video: Aerial view of Beechworth Correctional Centre and surround bushland and countryside, followed by views of the entrance.

Terry, General Manager, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

Beechworth Correctional Centre is a minimum security prison in north-east Victoria.

“It's a reintegration prison. The goal is to help offenders serving in the final weeks and months of their sentence prepare for their successful return to the community, become an economic contributor and to make positive behavioural choices.”

Video: Views of prisoner accommodation units.

Brendan, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“You work with all sorts of prisoners here that may have already served many years in jail for a crime and they're seeing out the tail end of their sentence.”

“Or their time in custody may be quite short and served entirely at Beechworth.”

“You're going to notice pretty quickly that this is not like the prison you usually see on TV. We don't have high walls.”

Video: Views of prison grounds including farm buildings, goats in a paddock, kangaroos

“These men are close to finishing their sentence so we need to promote an environment that's much like the community outside.”

“Communication is important. Checking in with prisoners what's going on in their mind and how they're progressing leading up to their release.”

“In this job you need to be someone who loves a chat and shows real interest in others' lives.”

Video: Prison officer and prisoner walking in grounds having a conversation.

“Case management is our strongest form of security. That's part intel gathering, it's also helping create positive, constructive relationships so men can come to see the work we're doing with them is worthwhile.”

Debra, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“We're a crucial part of setting offenders on the right path to avoid returning to custody.”

“We encourage them and help them in preparing for leading community lives again and help them to avoid falling back into their bad habits and social situations.”

“Part of our job is also helping them in control of their banking and housing as well as ensuring that their health is taken care of.”

Video: Counselling session with staff and prisoner.

“We like them to leave with some employment and education prospects.”

Tony, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“Part of the prison officers' job is to coordinate their parole programs, getting a licence again. Make sure that when they leave, they have accommodation sorted out and that they're just not going to be left in the lurch in the community.”

Video: Prisoner using a computer and views of the library.

Terry, General Manager, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“We have a range of different programs to be able to develop the prisoners' skills, so when they do return to the community, they can contribute back into the family environment.”

“We have a dog rescue program with Wodonga. We have a Raptor Rehabilitation Project, which is a partnership we have with Healesville Sanctuary and the Melbourne Zoo.”

“Sport's very important here because it keeps the prisoners engaged and active.”

Video: Dog kennels and cages with eagles, prisoners playing tennis.

Tony, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“Obviously with all the different programs and the work programs that they have and the life skills that they learn here, when they move out they might be living next to some of you guys, they might be living next door to me.”

“So, without a minimum security prison like this where they can learn to reintegrate into society there's a lot more chance that they'll cause some sort of problems once they're back out.”

Terry, General Manager, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“A great prison officer can come from anywhere, because you get the training when you start to give you the skills to be able to work in this type of environment.”

“Life experience and maturity are really valuable assets to have. It's really important to have a diverse workforce which represents a realistic social environment.”

Debra, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“It's a great working environment for a woman. I know that the opportunities are open there for me as they are for men. I feel safe here, I'm supported by the staff.”

Tony, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“My position is a full-time role in Beechworth Correctional Centre. It's a very stable job. The shift times are regular.”

Debra, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“As a full-timer so many pathways can open up to you if you're a high performer. There are secondments, higher duties, promotions, working for different units. There's a lot of scope for doing different work.

Tony, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“There are also a number of casual positions available in Beechworth Correctional Centre. The casual positions give the officers more flexibility and they can choose when and how many shifts a week they'd like to do.

Brendan, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“If you're interested you can also get more involved in the industries we run here, including horticulture, metal fabrication, carpentry and kitchen services. The conditions are worker best practice, penalty rates for overtime, weekends, public holidays and great leave entitlements.

Video: Greenhouse and wood workshop.

All these components add up and when you combine it with the contribution you work is making to the community at large, this is a really great job.

Warwick, Senior Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“The good thing about working in Corrections and living in Beechworth is that the job is well understood by the community. A lot of the people that work out here live in the community.”

“The first jail was opened over 160 years ago. Prison officers have been a fixture around the town as long as it's existed. People know what we're trying to do and they respect it.”

Video: views of historic Beechworth township.

Debra, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“I just love living in this area. I love the fact that I can drive to work every day and I don't see one traffic light.”

“There is so much stuff to do up here. Wineries, great cafes, with good coffee, great eateries. You can take hikes during the day.”

Video: car driving along road in the country, wine tasting, coffee and food being served at a café, a family hiking in the country.

Brendan, Prison Officer, Beechworth Correctional Centre:

“We're very close to the Murray here which is a popular tourist destination for fishing and all sorts of water sports. We're very close to the alpine region which is great in winter and around here the cycling is particularly good, especially mountain biking.”

Video: View of the Murray River, a person kayaking with small child, three cross-country skiers, two mountain bikers riding through forest.

“So, if you're thinking about a tree change this is a fantastic place for the family. We've got great schools and a really relaxed lifestyle.”

“If you've got empathy, believe people can make a second chance work and want the community to be a safer place, then we'd love to have you as a prison officer at Beechworth.”