From Remote Communities to Prison Education

Can you tell us about your career journey and how you came to be an Education Coordinator with G4S at Mount Gambier Prison (MGP)?

Prior to coming to MGP I was an Education Coordinator in a very remote Indigenous Community in the Northern Territory, and worked in remote communities for ten years. This is where I developed my passion for teaching language, literacy and numeracy to those who have been disadvantaged, whether it be from geographical isolation or life circumstances. I was browsing through Seek and came across an ad for MGP and decided that it was time for me to rejoin society after having spent the last ten years in remote communities, and applied for the job.

What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of working as an Education Coordinator in a prison setting?

Working in a prison setting comes with its own unique challenges and rewards. Inmates have varying levels of education and learning styles, which require tailored programs and individual support. Maintaining inmates' motivation and engagement in education can be difficult, especially given the diverse challenges they face in their daily lives. However, the rewards can be gratifying. Seeing the positive impact that education has on an inmate through personal transformation is very satisfying and I gain a lot of personal fulfilment from the personal growth of some inmates when I see the personal growth and progress that they make.

How would you describe the lifestyle and community in Mount Gambier? What are some of the things you enjoy most about living there?

Mount Gambier is situated on the Limestone Coast which is full of historic buildings, limestone caves, sinkholes and beautiful beaches. In summer the sand dunes along the beaches are an opportunity to test out your 4WD skills. The lifestyle is pretty relaxed and community focused.

Can you give us an overview of your role as Education Coordinator? What types of programs and initiatives do you oversee, and how do they contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners?

My role involves overseeing and managing educational programs within the prison which primarily focuses on basic language, literacy and numeracy skills. These skills play a crucial role in prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into society by developing the prisoner's knowledge, mindset, self-esteem and confidence to gain opportunities for improved prospects, legitimate income making and making criminal activity less appealing. Education reduces feelings of hopelessness and has the potential to break the cycle of poverty and crime.
 
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in prison education? What skills and qualities are important to be successful in this role?

Go for it!

Understand the environment of the institutional culture and the security protocols. Working with prisoners requires you to be non-judgemental and adaptable due to the unpredictable environment. Things can change very rapidly.

Self-care. The job can be emotionally and mentally taxing so it's important to set firm professional boundaries, whilst building rapport and trust, and leave everything at the gate at the end of the day.

Overall, remember that you are making a difference. Not with every prisoner - but some may turn their lives around because of your influence. Celebrate the small wins.