HUB FOR SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
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geogroup.com.au
ISSUE 53: APRIL 2021
HUB FOR SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Aboriginal Liaison Officer Christopher Maynard in the new outdoor reflection space.
Despite the impacts of COVID-19, working well at other places, engaging “In February 2021, attendance at
Fulham Correctional Centre has been a range of new stakeholders, and programs and activities in the Hub
increasing the use of its new Faith further developing the environment and was more than 1000 people. We look
and Culture Hub to include a range of schedule in line with the Hub’s purpose forward to introducing significant
programs and activities with a spiritual and priorities. cultural events in COVID-19 safe
and cultural connection for staff formats to these larger spaces, starting
Rehabilitation and Reintegration
and prisoners. with Ramadan in April.”
Manager Dr Leanne Habeeb said: “Just
With a focus on diversity and inclusion, as the culture hubs at our other Australian
the Hub is being developed as a space Correctional Centres inspired the design
where everyone is welcome, they can of the new building, we are grateful to
feel safe to be who they are, and can our colleagues for ongoing conversations
attend things that interest them. that continue to inform our thinking
The Hub opened in November 2020 about how to use this new space.
with its use being guided by a dedicated “We also work collaboratively across
working group. This group includes a departments to use the Hub’s many
range of key staff and other stakeholders fantastic spaces for a wide range of
committed to learning from what’s services, programs and activities for View of interior.
prisoners and staff,” she said. Delivering programs remotely
“During the pandemic conditions, Teams demonstrated outstanding agility
our two large halls have enabled during a snap five-day lockdown from
Fulham to continue service delivery 13 February — Clinicians, Activities
and meet targets. The range of Officers, IT Specialist and Correctional
group programs delivered during Officers collaboratively drawing on
current COVID-19 population density the new infrastructure and technology
restrictions, include: educational, to trial remote program delivery. The
therapeutic life skills, wellbeing, art, team worked through challenges, and
The Torch, faith and culture-based identified learnings to plan for any
Entrance to Cultural Centre. programs, and staff training.” future periods of restriction.
MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
Welcome We wish Scott and his family all the very Emergency Services Games in Victoria on
to the first best as he begins his retirement. We behalf of GEO.
edition of also welcome the Former Governor of Finally, our annual event to announce the
GEO Insights Cessnock Correctional Centre, Richard GEO Australia Employee of the Year will
for 2021 – a Heycock, as the new General Manager be held later this month. Congratulations
year in which and to our organisation. to our three nominees:
I hope we will It is great to see Fulham Correctional • Christopher Poulios – Activities
see some kind Centre’s new cultural hub being utilised Supervisor (Fulham);
of normality for a wide variety of activities that offer
return to • Coen Potter – Correctional Officer,
spiritual and cultural connections for both
our operations as the transmission of staff and prisoners. Dog Handler (Junee); and
COVID-19 in Australia remains largely It is also heartening to see the wide- • Denesh Visyan - Occupational Health
under control. The next step for GEO is ranging celebrations to mark International and Safety Rehabilitation Specialist
supporting staff through the COVID-19 Women’s Day, held earlier this year. It is (Ravenhall).
vaccination process, which is planned to important to recognise and keep learning You have each demonstrated outstanding
be undertaken at each of our Centres. from the many inspirational female service and going above and beyond in
Earlier this year we said farewell to the leaders we have working at GEO. carrying out your respective roles in our
General Manager of Junee Correctional Congratulations to Fulham’s Kim Andrew correctional centres.
Centre, Scott Brideoake, who served in and Amy Leighton for their wonderful Pieter Bezuidenhout
the position for more than five years. achievements at the recent Police & Managing Director
Changing of the guard at Junee Correctional Centre
He also successfully managed staff,
inmates and visitors during one of
the worst periods of COVID-19 in
NSW, including establishing an inmate
quarantine facility within the Centre.
Mr Brideoake said: “I will look back
on what was an incredible opportunity
in my corrections career and want to
acknowledge the hard working and
dedicated staff of Junee Correctional
Centre who assisted in making my
job easier.”
Mr Heycock was appointed as the
new General Manager and started on
Scott Brideoake welcomes new General Manager of Junee Correctional Centre Richard Heycock.
9 March. He brings to the role more
Former Governor of Cessnock Correctional GEO Australia Managing Director Pieter than 12 years’ experience with CSNSW,
Centre, Richard Heycock, has joined GEO Bezuidenhout recognised Mr Brideoake including as General Manager and
Australia as the new General Manager of as an exemplary leader through some Governor of Hunter Correctional Centre.
Junee Correctional Centre. significantly challenging times.
“I feel privileged to begin my new role as
The appointment follows the retirement “Scott’s legacy is his leadership expertise General Manager at Junee Correctional
of Scott Brideoake from the role and a and the great respect he has engendered Centre and appreciate that some very
long-standing career in the corrections among all of his colleagues,” Mr
high standards have been set by my
industry. Bezuidenhout said. “We wish him all the
predecessor,” Mr Heycock said.
very best in his retirement.”
Mr Brideoake joined GEO Australia in
“I look forward to the challenges ahead
June 2015 to oversee Junee Correctional In addition to the regular complexities
Centre following 26 years in various roles and to working with the staff, our
of running a safe and secure prison,
at Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW). Mr Brideoake led staff through a major partners and broader local community to
These included Manager of Security and expansion project, which includes a maintain the level of excellence achieved
Governor’s positions, such as CSNSW new administration complex, 480-bed in the operations of the Centre, and to
Hostage Response Group Commander maximum security wing and a women’s support inmates with their rehabilitation
and Specialised Training Unit Manager. remand unit. and reintegration goals.”
INTEGRITY — RESPECT — ACCOU
RECOGNITION OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN CORRECTIONS
ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Ms Osborne said: “Good female leaders
are those who demonstrate belief in
themselves and others, are self-aware,
are strong and tenacious, but also
empathetic. They are also brave enough
to take risks, including challenging
gender bias.
“The best female leaders equally embrace
gender-based traits, such as vulnerability
ALCOHOL AND
and empathy, which can be perceived as
‘weak’ in the workplace, particularly in
OTHER DRUG
an industry like corrections.”
At Fulham Correctional Centre, staff
PROGRAMS
wore purple ribbons to mark the event
and female Senior Leadership Team PERFORMING
Dr Sarah Gray addressing staff at Ravenhall
Correctional Centre.
STRONGLY
Staff across GEO’s Australian Correctional Approximately two thirds of prisoners
Centres marked International Womens report use of an illicit drug in the 12
Day (IWD), on 8 March, under this year’s months prior to entering custody, with
theme ’Choose to Challenge’ and call methamphetamine (ice) being the
out gender bias and inequality. most common.
A range of activities were held
throughout the week to celebrate The Research and Evaluation team
female leadership in corrections and recently reviewed GEO’s Know the Score
those women who are helping to forge Ravenhall’s Manager of Clinical Intervention
(KTS) and Skating on Ice (SOI) alcohol and
a gender equal world. Allana Osborne. drug programs. Facilitated at Ravenhall
GEO Australia’s National Director of members addressed presented to female and Fulham and soon to be implemented
Rehabilitation and Reintegration, Dr staff on their experiences of leadership at Junee, the programs are designed to
Sarah Gray, gave a poignant speech at with a focus on COVID-19. General increase participants’ understanding
Ravenhall Correctional Centre — where Manager Natalie Greenfield was also a of the effects of substance abuse and
50 per cent of its workforce are women guest speaker at the local Rotary Club, increase confidence in abstaining from
being recognised as an important local
— about her upbringing and her role as future use.
female leader.
a female leader in the traditionally male-
Staff Training Specialist Jenna O’Connor, KTS is designed for prisoners who have
dominated industry. A video compilation
of staff who ‘Choose to Challenge’ 35, began her career with GEO Australia a history of polydrug or alcohol use,
inequality was shared, followed by a as a Correctional Officer. She is one of while SOI targets prisoners with a recent
special IWD lunch. 390 staff at Fulham of which 44 per cent history of methamphetamine use.
are female.
Following a detailed examination of
Ms O’Connor said she has been inspired
the evidence, the results suggest both
by many female leaders throughout her
programs are helping prisoners on their
life — each with skills and qualities she
nurtures in herself in order to be the rehabilitative journey and being capably
type of leader she would like to be. delivered by staff.
“In an industry like corrections, women Both programs achieved all expected
can contribute so many valuable skills short-term outcomes and almost all
and positive change, and it’s inspiring to graduating prisoners said they would
see the culture changing for the better,” recommend the programs to their
she said.
peers. Opportunities to fine-tune the
programs were also noted.
Fulham’s Training Specialist Jenna O’Connor.
Manager of Clinical Intervention, Allana
Osborne, 30, is a registered forensic
psychologist who joined GEO Australia
at Ravenhall in 2017 as a Senior Clinician
and was promoted to her current role
in November 2020. She leads a clinical
Rehabilitation and Reintegration Manager Dr Leanne
team of 50 staff and oversees the Habeeb (R) and Health Services Manager Julie Bond
Centre’s Prisoner Peer program. address staff at Fulham Correctional Centre.
NTABLE — AGILE — I N N O VAT I V E
IN BRIEF IN FOCUS
New style of training trialled The course comprised a diverse group Winning equestrian skills
using virtual reality technology of participants from a wide range of Two staff members from Fulham
backgrounds, ages and personalities, Correctional Centre showed their
which the group used to their winning form in a range of equestrian
advantage. The trainees mentored one events at the 2021 Victoria Police &
another and drew upon each others’ Emergency Services Games, held from
personal experiences to develop their 17 to 21 March at Elcho Park, Lara.
skills to a high standard. They supported
one another through the entire course
and built friendships that are bound
to continue throughout their careers
Staff at Ravenhall experience a new style of training using with GEO.
virtual reality technology.
GEO routinely delivers a range of pre-
service and in-service training for staff
in each of its correctional centres and is
continually looking at ways to enhance Kim Andrew tackling the derby event.
this training as new methods of teaching
The equestrian events covered a range
become available.
of activities – showing, dressage, show
A number of staff at Ravenhall jumping, combined training (a dressage
test and show jump round), and a
Correctional Centre recently had the
derby (a combination jumping event) —
opportunity to trial the use of virtual Trainees test their skills in Junee Pre-Service Course.
with sections set at levels of expertise
reality in de-escalation training — using and judging based on presentation of
a 3D-simulated technology environment
GEO staff to join Midsumma
horse and rider, obstacle height and
to immerse them into a seemingly Pride March for the first time movements performed with degree
real location to enhance their overall A group of 20 GEO staff, including of difficulty.
learning experience. Allies, will march together in this year’s Food Services Manager Kim Andrew
Midsumma Pride March, to be held in St and Catering Officer Amy Leighton
Feedback from staff involved in the trial
Kilda, Victoria on Sunday 23 May. represented the Centre over two days
was extremely positive and GEO will taking home a cache of sashes, medals
look for more opportunities to use this The event is Australia's premier queer and prizes.
tehnology in the organisation. arts and cultural organisation, bringing
Derby event —six show jumps and
together a diverse mix of LGBTQIA+ six cross country fences to be jumped
New team of Correctional
artists, performers, communities and within a set time.
Officers at Junee
audiences.
• Kim and mount Finn jumped clear
This is the first time GEO has registered in the Level 2 section (95cm) and
a team for the march, demonstrating placed second.
the organisation’s commitment to • Amy and her horse Mez jumped
supporting diversity and social inclusion. a lovely round in the Level 5 section
(55cm), closest to time, and placed first.
Prisoners who attend the Ravenhall
Show jumping and combined training
Correctional Centre LGBT support group
• Kim rode in the Level 2 show jumping
will create a banner for the marchers to (two classes) and combined training
capture their ‘voices’. She won the first event, placed second
New Correctional Officers graduate at Junee. in the next class, won the overall Level
2 show jumping and then placed
Nineteen new Correctional Officers have second in the combined training.
been welcomed to Junee Correctional • Amy rode in the combined training
Centre following their completion of a Level 5 and won her section.
nine-week Pre-Service Course, which
began in January. Kim said: “This was a great event for
us to participate in. We received lots of
A graduation ceremony for the new comments and questions about where
officers and their families was held at the we came from and we felt very proud to
Junee Recreation Centre on 12 March. Reintegration Officer Nicholas Gee will take part. represent GEO.”
Editorial and photographic contributions for the GEO newsletter are sought from all centres.
Forward your contributions to Lyndell Coutts at: LCoutts@geogroup.com.au
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