Senior Correctional Officer Mohinder Singh says staff wellbeing and rehabilitation programs are central to maintaining a safe and professional prison environment, as he continues leading workplace initiatives at Sydney’s Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre.
Mohinder, 44, has worked with Corrective Services NSW since 2014 and is currently based at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Sydney. Before joining Corrective Services NSW, he worked across several NSW Government agencies.
“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 work with Corrective Services NSW has included roles at the Long Bay Complex, where he worked in the Metropolitan Special Program Centre and Long Bay Hospital, before moving to the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in 2021.
Mohinder said his current focus is centred on supporting correctional staff through training, development and wellbeing programs.
“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.”
He said building stronger workplace culture was closely tied to staff support systems and access to wellbeing resources.
“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.”
According to Corrective Services NSW, Mohinder has introduced several wellbeing initiatives at the prison, including regular Employee Assistance Program sessions, Wellness Wednesday activities, suicide awareness training, breast cancer awareness sessions, and weekly prayer sessions open to staff and their families.
He also works alongside Offender Services and Programs staff to support inmate access to rehabilitation programs including EQUIPS, Intensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs, Young Offenders Drug Treatment Programs and computer literacy training. The programs are designed to help offenders address addiction, reflect on behaviour and build skills for reintegration into the community.
Outside the prison system, Mohinder is involved in community activities including food drives, mental health awareness initiatives and Bhangra dance classes for children and parents.
Describing himself as “dedicated, empathetic and innovative”, he encouraged new correctional officers to approach the profession 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.”
Corrective Services NSW oversees about 14,000 inmates across 36 prisons and supervises around 35,000 offenders serving community-based court orders across the state. Its workforce includes custodial officers, community corrections staff and specialist professionals working across rehabilitation, education and support services.
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