We call on the Australian Government to pause or reject the creation of a National Corrections Service Medal until significant concerns about accountability, transparency, and systemic conduct within corrections and related law enforcement systems are independently addressed.

Why This Matters

National medals are not just symbolic — they are statements about what a country chooses to honour.

Awards like this should represent:

• Integrity
• Lawful conduct
• Respect for human rights
• Public trust
• Where these standards are under serious question, recognition risks becoming premature and inappropriate.

Key Concerns

1. Proven misconduct and abuse scandals. Australian corrections systems have been repeatedly rocked by serious misconduct cases. A 2026 report alleges NSW corrections staff may have unlawfully monitored protected phone calls, including those with a parliamentarian, which should be confidential.
   Separate findings in Victoria revealed long-term use of prison listening devices without proper disclosure or compliance, raising serious transparency concerns.
2. A major NSW inquiry found systemic failures at multiple management levels following sexual abuse scandals involving correctional staff.
3. One senior officer was convicted of assaulting numerous inmates, with findings that management failed to act despite warnings.
4. Investigations described some prison environments as “toxic” and suppressing complaints, with fear of retaliation preventing reporting.
5. Around 74% of reporting focuses on misconduct, poor behaviour, or safety issues within the profession.
6. Reports from Victorian prisons describe extreme lockdowns, poor sanitation, and deteriorating mental health conditions among inmates.
7. Multiple suicides have occurred in facilities where known environmental risks were not addressed despite warnings.
8. Mental health care and basic welfare standards remain a recurring issue raised by oversight bodies and advocacy groups.

Beyond official reports, public-facing behaviour also shapes trust.

Social media content associated with corrections culture — including pages such as "The Last Governor", has drawn criticism for posts that some members of the public view as unprofessional, insensitive, or celebrating harm toward inmates.

This is not isolated misconduct — it reflects deeper cultural and oversight failures.

We call on the Australian Government to Pause or reject the National Corrections Service Medal and Only consider national recognition after sustained reform and restored public confidence.