Corrective Services NSW hit our television screens nation-wide last Thursday in Channel 9’s landmark docuseries Australia Behind Bars, an eight-part series taking viewers behind the high walls of three maximum security prisons, including Silverwater.
Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said they won’t shy away from the harsh realities of prison life.
“It’s important that the public recognises our resilience, commitment and dedication to the rehabilitation of offenders in our role as frontline workers,” he said.
“This unprecedented level of access shows the public how critical our corrections staff are in providing offenders with programs, education, training and support while keeping our prisons and communities safe.”
The series, featuring staff and inmates to provide a more comprehensive understanding of prison life, will be presented by Melissa Doyle in this Australian television first, described by Nine as having “unforgettable characters, intimate access to the inner workings of the prison system, and highly charged emotional moments of unfiltered humanity”.
“I think it’s about time people hear about it,” one officer said in the series preview, while another said, “We want them [inmates] to come out better than they came in”.
Deputy Commissioner Luke Grant said the series allowed people to better appreciate the skills, qualities of character and passion corrections staff needed to do such an important job safely and effectively.
“Teamwork is at the core of CSNSW and our involvement in this series was no exception; we’re thankful to the many staff for their patience, support and participation,” he said.
