The training comes as part of a nine-week intensive course for the recruits to complete their Certificate III in Correctional Practice.

This form of training aims to teach the recruits how to contain a hostile situation and make it safe with minimal injuries.

Cessnock Correctional Centre general manager Simon Raper said often new inmate receptions are under the effects of drugs and alcohol and the recruits need to know how to handle unpredictable situations if inmates become aggressive.

“It’s a different world to normal daily situations,” he said.

“It can happen any given day of the week.”

However, this is a last resort for dealing with emergencies, as the recruits are also taught listening and speaking techniques to control tense situations.

“They learn how to communicate with offenders and talk them down without the use of force,” Special Operations Group senior corrections officer Ken Southern said.

Mr. Southern and Mr. Raper said the recruits are all progressing quite well, and are enjoying being able to participate in the program in the local area rather than having to stay away from their families in Sydney, which is where the program used to be held.

In addition to the simulated exercises, the group has also learnt about legislation and policy which they then applied in a practical sense, and will also participate in weapons training at a local shooting range.

Mr. Southern and Mr. Raper agreed that the recruits have built a lot of confidence through the training so far as well as great team work skills, which is due to the excellent trainers involved in the program.

“It’s a credit to the trainers when they come and pass that on to the new recruits,” Mr. Raper said.

Mr. Southern said that the trainers have all come through the ranks as well and participated in similar programs to the recruits.

“And hopefully one day we will see some of these people in the instructor roles,” he said.

One of the recruits, Emma Crowe, said as a qualified paramedic she enjoys a job where she can come in to work each day not knowing what’s going to happen.

She said it’s fantastic to be able to participate in the program locally, and not have to be away from family while participating in the training.

Fellow recruit, Kade Pyers agreed and said it is a blessing to be able to go home to his wife each night rather than be away.

Mr. Pyers is a trained firefighter so like Ms. Crowe, thrives while working in an intense environment.

“I love this sort of lifestyle,” he said.

Both are hoping for permanent positions out of the program and agreed that while the training has been tough, they have put in the hard yards and have grown in confidence each day so far.