Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr Simon Harris TD attended Dublin Castle for the graduation of 131 Recruit Prison Officers across eight training groups.
The graduates were conferred with their awards from South East Technological University (SETU) at the first in person Prison Service graduation ceremony to be held since 2019.
The Higher Certificate in Arts in Custodial Care (HCCC) is a two year level 6 QQI programme which is delivered through a collaboration between the Irish Prison Service and South East Technological University.
This work-based programme aims to develop the reflective, theoretical and practical skills of the Recruit Prison Officer to support them to achieve high standards in their delivery of safe, ethical and secure custodial care.
Of the 131 graduates from the programme, 18 per cent were females and 82 per cent were male.
President of SETU Veronica Campbell paid tribute to “the hard work of the HCCC teaching and management team comprising Professional Prison Officer colleagues in Midlands Prison who work with each new group of recruits, and the academic, management, administrative and support staff from the Irish Prison Service and from SETU.
“The experience and expertise of the team is diverse and impressive. You have all contributed to the growth and success of this programme”
Speaking at the graduation Minister Harris said “I am delighted to be here this evening to welcome and congratulate the new graduates and their families.
“Being a prison officer means providing safe and secure custody, dignity and care for those in the custody of the State and fundamentally contributing to the rehabilitation within our prisons. Prison officers wear many hats – you have to be good listeners, coaches, authority figures, but above all else it means bringing humanity to your work each and every day.
“And as Minister for Justice, I am acutely aware of the vital role you play in the criminal justice system. Victims need to know that where serious crimes are committed, an appropriate sentence will be served. The Government will always appreciate the job you do
“I would like to thank all of you for making this commitment to serving the State. Your work will ultimately change lives for the better and contribute to building safer and stronger communities.”
The Director General Caron McCaffrey also addressed the graduates saying, “This generation of Prison Officers, going forward, are the standard-bearers of prison reform and indeed of a more compassionate societal approach to crime and punishment.
“We have learned as a society that incarceration without rehabilitation is a futile exercise. But thanks to programmes such as the HCCC, our prison officers have become a channel of hope, not despair, as we recognise that with compassion and rehabilitation, society, as a whole, will benefit.”
The graduates are now working as fulltime professional Prison Officers eight prisons throughout the estate including the Operational Support Group & Prison Service Escort Corp.