Commissioner

Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM

Gary McCahon PSM commenced as Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) on 3 March 2025. Commissioner McCahon has more than 40 years experience working in corrections. Starting out as a correctional officer in Townsville he rose through the ranks spending the past 25 years managing correctional centres and operations across NSW and Queensland.

Commissioner McCahon understands the complexities of custodial operations bringing first hand experience in the management of male and female facilities across classifications. During his previous tenure at CSNSW he was the Director of Custodial Operations Northern and Southern Regions and Director of Brush Farm Corrective Services Academy.

Mr McCahon brings experience in managing change and reform. He was the Project Executive for the Queensland Correctional Service (QCS) funding and business model review. He also oversaw the operational commissioning of the 1,500 bed Southern Queensland Correctional Centre. Mr McCahon led operational reviews of Queensland’s escort and security, oversaw the dog squad, and developed a single emergency response model.  He also mandated and rolled out MAYBO training for all QCS correctional officers. These reforms were complex and multifaceted, requiring a 'one QCS' approach through significant collaboration and across the department to ensure outcomes were achieved.

Upon his return to QCS as Deputy Commissioner on 1 June 2020, Mr McCahon was tasked by the Commissioner with implementing the recommendations of the recently completed Officer Safety (Use of Force) Review. This positioned QCS as one of the best-trained and best-equipped correctional jurisdictions in Australia. On 3 July 2020, he stood up the Officer Safety Committee that stewards and implements the recommendations from the review.

Commissioner McCahon holds a Masters in Correctional Management from Charles Sturt University, along with other tertiary qualifications in executive leadership and change management through the University of Queensland and the Australian Institute of Police Management.

Commissioner McCahon has been recognised through receiving honours and commendations for his leadership and exemplary service to corrections. He was awarded the Public Service Medal , National Service Medal and CSNSW Exemplary Conduct Cross for demonstrating outstanding leadership, commitment to duty and professionalism in a consistent and dignified manner. Commissioner McCahon received the QCS Commissioner Medal for Excellence in Leadership, QCS 20 Year Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and QCS Emergency Response Medal.

Commissioner McCahon has a focus on core business and respect. He enjoys working with the leadership of the organisation and collaborating with agency and external partners in order to drive strategic reform.

Commissioner McCahon is passionate about building leadership capacity and is a strong advocate for inclusion, having championed for women in leadership, LGBTIQ+ advocacy and better supporting veterans and reserves in the workplace.

Contact:

Office of the Commissioner

Corrective Services NSW
Locked Bag 5000
Parramatta NSW 2124

Telephone: (02) 8346 1333
Email: ExecutiveServices@dcj.nsw.gov.au