Loddon Prison Precinct (Middleton)

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"Here in Castlemaine, Loddon Prison is a medium security men's prison. Middleton Prison is a restricted minimum prison. Like all custodial facilities the role of Loddon Prison and Middleton is to keep the community safe. People who are here have been sentenced to a term of incarceration and it's our responsibility to ensure that they serve that term and then when that's completed, they have benefited from our interventions."

Suman, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"We are giving people a chance to change from their transition from criminal life to settling back into society, because these are the people who eventually become our neighbours."

Kelly, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"So, with case management, we have a smaller group of guys on what we call a caseload. And with those guys, we work a little bit closer with them."

Gary, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"We are providing programs and providing plans for the men and goals for them to achieve, to effect change and to reduce their risk of reoffending."

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"The work that we do makes a difference in people's lives. You see that when you see people leaving prison in a much better frame of mind than they came in. And that is very rewarding."

Gary, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"The skills I think a prison officer needs are, first of all, compassion. Total non-judgement. You can't have judgement about people – their crimes are their past."

Kelly, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"You just need to be able to communicate, need to be able to talk to people."

Brett, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"A lot of our cohort haven't had people listen, care, validate, understand, take the time to ask questions in their life."

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"At Loddon Prison and Middleton, it's all about teamwork. People actually enjoy the camaraderie and the experience of working as part of a team that are really focused on the same thing."

Brett, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"As a Prison Officer, we get trained in an eight-week course. We do tactical options, we do a range of communication skills."

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"So once people are trained as Prison Officers there are a number of exciting and different pathways they can choose."

Suman, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"The opportunities are not only in the uniform. So, we can switch into different departments. We can be intelligence unit, we can be Emergency Response Group, we can be in kitchen, industries. Prison Officers can become Recreation Officers or Aboriginal Wellbeing Officers.

So, Loddon and Middleton have rotating rosters. So, there are shifts that are morning, afternoon, evening and night. Shift swaps are one of the options."

Brett, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"I'm employed as a casual officer, but it's...yeah, I can choose when that is and that contributes to my work life balance."

Kelly, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"The leave entitlements are really good. I really like it. I couldn't imagine going back to a Monday to Friday roster."

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"It’s fantastic working in regional Victoria and in particular Castlemaine is a really attractive town."

Brett, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"There's a lot of markets and fairs and fetes and festivals that happen throughout the year."

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"Most of our staff live close by with the commute of up to about 40 minutes, but that is completely manageable because we're all driving through beautiful countryside.

The reality is we need a really diverse workforce to actually meet the needs of a diverse prison population."

Brett, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"I love being a Prison Officer. I love this job, it’d be the best job I've had."

Suman, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"I wake up everyday thinking, yes, let's do it."

Kelly, Prison Officer, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"It's a real team environment, the salary is fantastic, and, yeah, management and Corrections Victoria are fantastic."

Catherine, General Manager, Loddon Prison and Middleton:

"If you enjoy the idea of case managing people toward the achievement of their goals, to them making better decisions, watching them grow and knowing that they're going to be much better when they leave prison, this is definitely the job for you."