Most people want to keep out of prison, but Leigh Coates says she “can’t wait to start”.

She is one of 20 new custodial officers – 10 men and 10 women, some culturally diverse – at the Alexander Maconochie Centre who graduated today.

“It looks like it’s going to be a fantastic job,” Ms Coates said.

“We’re in there, and we can make a difference to people’s lives.”

Ms Coates was working at ALS – Environmental Services, sampling and testing water and sewage, when she saw that ACT Corrective Services was recruiting.

“I love a challenge; I’m always up for a challenge,” Ms Coates said. She has driven trucks and was a courier.) “It ticked all my boxes. Challenge: yes. Shifts were brilliant; I’ve now got a grandson, so I have a bit more time with him and the family.”

More than 260 people applied; 20 were chosen, after what ACTCS Commissioner Ray Johnson called a “stringent” selection process.

“Training was brilliant,” Ms Coates said.

Over 13 weeks, the recruits were led through every process of the corrective facility, from working with radios, writing reports, and getting protocols right to the “really boring stuff” (policies and legislation).

One “lovely day”, the recruits sprayed each other with oleoresin capsicum aerosol spray (aka pepper spray), used to subdue rumbunctious detainees, and learned how to decontaminate.

“It’s not pleasant,” Ms Coates said. “Childbirth, OC – I’m still not sure which one is the better of the two!”

The trainers themselves, she said, were “really approachable” and “supportive”, no matter what their rank.

“Every time I’ve gone in there, it’s been such a positive group. They’re always willing to help you.”

In fact, Ms Coates was quite surprised by how upbeat the AMC was.

“It’s a pretty positive place,” she said. “The people in there [the prison staff] bounce off one another. It’s just an uplifting feeling. You can even see the detainees get positive vibes from the officers themselves. So, it does make for a good day.” (She has no doubt, though, that some days will not be “all that great”.)

Ms Coates’s first day is on Tuesday.

“I can’t wait to hit the floor,” she said.

At the moment, she is on a relief line.

“Each day could be a different day, which suits me fine. It’s a nice variety in life.”

She will work 12-hour shifts, from 7.30am in the morning to 7.30pm at night. “They are long days, but you get more time off.” Which she will spend with her children and grandchildren.

What most excites her is helping the detainees pick up their lives, “steering people on the right course”. The AMC, for instance, offers white card programs (for construction work), responsible service of alcohol (RSA) courses, and asbestos training.

“It’s all little steps to be able to come out into society and just function,” Ms Coates said.

Over the next year, Ms Coates and her fellow recruits will complete national credited Correctional Services qualifications.

“These graduates join their colleagues in helping to transform the lives of those in our care, while performing a vital role helping to keep the community safe,” Commissioner Johnson said. “They should all feel incredibly proud of how far they have come.”