Opening different doors

7 MAY 2026

Having a chat at a backyard BBQ led to Garry making an interesting career move, from real estate to Corrective Services where he held roles as a Correctional Officer, Overseer, Case Manager and now as a Service & Programs Officer at CSNSW.

“I was looking for a satisfying and challenging career where I could also assist others,” Garry said.

“I was talking to a friend at a neighbour’s BBQ, and he worked with the Department and highlighted the advantages of joining up.”

Following through on this recommendation 17 years ago has led Garry to a variety of locations beginning at Parramatta Correctional Centre and working with offenders with maximum to minimum security ratings. He now finds himself at the Metropolitan Remand & Reception Centre (MRRC) working with offenders to establish where assistance and support is needed to reduce reoffending.

Garry gains a lot of satisfaction when he sees people make changes and turn their lives around by not returning to custody.

“As a Service and Programs Officer at MRRC I work with a team to help prevent offenders returning to custody and improve their opportunities when they return to the community,” he said.

“The revolving door syndrome of people in custody is one thing I work hard to close.”

Providing inmates with support by way of programs to address their behaviour and making connections with services is so important, every inmate who changes their behaviour is one less potential offender in the community.

“I would like the public to know that we are working hard supervising offenders, we have interventions and programs in place to help reduce their reoffending and this ultimately makes the community a safer place.”

Garry is a 2026 National Corrections Day ambassador, proudly representing the CSNSW workforce of around 5,300 custodial officers working in prisons, 2,100 Community Corrections staff, and more than 3,000 psychologists, programs, education, industries, and corporate professionals.