The quality of staff working for NTCS ultimately drives our success, performance and outcomes. Our staff and our community service delivery partners are carefully selected on the basis of their inherent aptitude to align with our values and to support the achievement of NTCS objectives. We provide training, induction and support appropriate to their role and their experience. Our management practices focus on achieving positive outcomes.
The safety of everyone in NT Correctional Services is our top priority. We train staff to appreciate that safety is everyone’s business and that safety and security are of paramount importance. We reinforce a continual focus on safety by holding regular briefings and workshops and conducting routine and ad-hoc reviews, audits, inspections and exercises
Attraction, retention and providing leadership and development opportunities for Aboriginal staff is a key priority to ensure that Aboriginal knowledge in working with Aboriginal offenders is embedded in staffing models and our practices. With approximately 85 per cent of prisoners being Aboriginal, an understanding of Aboriginal culture, history, and knowledge is important.
At an operational level, Indigenous Liaison Officers are employed to be a conduit between prisoners, other staff, and individuals and agencies outside the wire. The role is key to facilitating cultural safety inside the wire and was initiated in response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Indigenous Liaison Officers also provide support the Elders Visiting Program and enable most importantly facilitate cultural observances such as sorry business, smoking ceremonies, and pastoral care.