Attorney General, Simon Corbell, announced the appointment of Bernadette O’Connor as Executive Director of ACT Corrective Services.

“I am pleased to be able to announce the appointment of Bernadette O’Connor as the new Executive Director of ACT Corrective Services,” Mr Corbell said.

“Ms O’Connor comes at an important time in the development of ACT Corrective Services and the ongoing running of the Alexander Maconochie Centre.”

Ms O’Connor has held senior positions with Corrective Services New South Wales and the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice since 1994 and currently Regional Executive Director, South West Region, Corrective Services, NSW, a position she has held since 2009.

Her other  roles have  included General Manager Silverwater Men's and Women's Correctional Centres (2006 to 2008), Governor/General Manager John Morony Correction Centres, Oberon Correctional Centre (2004 to 2006), Manager, Kariong Juvenile Justice Centre (2001 to 2002) and Manager Yasmar Juvenile Justice Centre (1997 to 2000).

Mr Corbell said Ms O’Connor had excellent skills and a breadth of senior management experience in the policy and operational aspects of corrections, including community corrections.

“Ms O'Connor was the first woman to be appointed as a Governor of a correctional centre in NSW that was not an appointment through the custodial ranks, rather via a merit selection process,” Mr Corbell said. “She has been responsible for a number of innovative programs for women inmates, including the Mothers and Children's Program at Emu Plains Correctional Centre and the first Transitional Centre for female inmates.  “The ACT is a unique correctional environment, with only one major correctional facility, and I am confident that Ms O’Connor is well placed to understand the specific issues facing ACT Corrective Services. “I welcome Ms O’Connor to the position and look forward to working with her to best serve the ACT community when it comes to Corrective Services.”

Ms O’Connor will take up the position on 4 April, 2011.

Statement Ends 1 March 2011

Media Contact: Patrick Cronan (Office) 6205 0401 (Mobile) 0432 758 224 patrick.cronan@act.gov.au

ACT Government

Phone (02) 6205 0000       Fax (02) 6205 0535