Friday, 15 May 2025

Senior Correctional Officer Mohinder Singh knows that a strong workforce starts with staff wellbeing.

With more than a decade of service at Corrective Services NSW, Mohinder, 44, works at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC).

Mohinder joined CSNSW in 2014 after working across several NSW Government agencies. While his past roles built his understanding of regulatory frameworks and collaboration, he was drawn to corrections for its deeper purpose.

“I wanted a stable and purposeful career where I could make a meaningful contribution to community safety,” Mohinder says. “CSNSW provided this, while also offering opportunities for professional growth.”

His Corrective Services NSW career has spanned multiple locations across Sydney’s metro region, including the Long Bay Complex, where he worked in the Metropolitan Special Program Centre and Long Bay Hospital, before moving to MRRC in 2021.

What Mohinder values most about his current role is the opportunity to support others.

“My focus is on staff — their training, development and wellbeing,” he says. “When our staff feel supported, confident and resilient, it creates a safer and more positive environment for everyone.”

“Success means building cohesive teams, supporting staff through available resources like Employee Assistance Programs, and fostering resilience,” he says. “When staff are empowered and supported, they can do their jobs safely and professionally.”

Since stepping into his supervisory role, Mohinder has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening workplace wellbeing at MRRC. These include regular on-site Employee Assistance Program sessions, bi-weekly Wellness Wednesday activities, suicide awareness training, breast cancer awareness sessions, and weekly prayer sessions for interested staff and their families.

Mohinder also works collaboratively with Offender Services and Programs staff to ensure inmates can access rehabilitation initiatives such as EQUIPS, Intensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs, Young Offenders Drug Treatment Programs and computer literacy training. These programs help offenders reflect on their behaviour, address addiction and build skills that support reintegration into the community.

Outside of work, Mohinder is deeply involved in community life. He volunteers in food drives, supports mental health awareness initiatives, and organises Bhangra dance classes for children and parents on weekends.

Describing himself as dedicated, empathetic and innovative, Mohinder encourages new recruits to approach the role with humility.

“We work in the service of humanity,” he says. “Choose mentors, learn from those around you, and always lead with compassion.”

“Our work goes beyond security,” he says. “It’s about rehabilitation, professionalism and building trust with the community. I’m honoured to be part of that mission.”

Every day, CSNSW staff are busy overseeing 14,000 inmates within the state’s 36 prisons and supervising 35,000 offenders serving community-based court orders and reporting to one of 58 Community Corrections offices.

The CSNSW workforce includes around 5,300 custodial officers working in prisons, 2,100 Community Corrections staff supervising offenders in the community, and more than 3,000 psychologists, programs, education, industries, and corporate professionals.

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