Probation and Correctional officers commence second training workshop
The second training workshop for
Probation officers and the Nauru Correctional Service commenced
this afternoon (4 Nov). It is designed to equip the officers in
working with offenders as well as offer guidance, supervision and
life skills.
The workshop stems from and
supports the Court's recommendation made in 2011 for a funded
Probation Program. The proposal enabled the Chief Correctional
Officer to utilise the services of part time probation officers to
assist in implementing the sentencing orders of the Court.
Acting President and Minister for
Home Affairs Hon Charmaine Scotty officially opened the workshop
with an overview of the Probation Program and attributed the
reduced number of reoffenders to the good work of the probation
officers.
"Since last year more than 80
orders have been made by the District Court and less than five have
re-offended. This is a wonderful statistic which reflects
enormously on the efforts of the Probation Officers," Minister
Scotty said.
There are currently 30 offenders
under sentencing orders, serving periods of time under good
behaviour bonds, probation, community service or parole.
There are nine part time probation
officers working as mentors for the young offenders.
The nine day workshop is being
funded by the government of New Zealand and will cover leadership
skills, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention. The
training will also review the probation manual and case
studies.
A major feature of the training
will be video footage of professionals conducting counselling.
The training is being conducted by
Warwick Duell who had been to Nauru in August 2012 when he
conducted his first workshop for the correctional service.
The training will also look at the
role, behaviour and conduct of correctional and probation officers
and how their conduct can affect their work and the offenders they
aim to help.