Employees

Corrections Officer

Employee Name:

Monica Franz

Title:

Corrections Officer

Ministry:

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Background:

Education: Diploma, Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
Member of the BC Public Service Since: 1995

My Role

I am a Corrections/Programs Officer. This means I am involved in the day to day operations and security procedures, much the same as any other Corrections Officer, but I also facilitate programs. These programs include Substance Abuse Management (SAM), Violence Prevention Program (VPP), Breaking Barriers (BB), and Cognitive Skills. It is my hope that by helping inmates build better life, coping and social skills through programs they will no longer be repeat offenders.

Career Path:

My career in corrections started at Fraser Regional Correctional Center as a Security Officer working in many different areas of the institution. This included supervising inmates on various units, working in records where the inmates first come in, as well as being transport driver. I then transferred to North Fraser Pre-trial Centre where my current position as a Corrections/Programs officer began. I was trained to facilitate Substance Abuse Management, Breaking Barriers and Cognitive Skills programs. In 2005 my latest transfer took place to Ford Mountain Correctional Centre where I continued facilitating programs with priority being given to Cognitive Skills.

What I Like Best:

What I like best about the BC Public Service and my job is the ability to participate in so many varied jobs with numerous dedicated and efficient co-workers all striving towards a common goal - making a better and safer place for us all to live and enjoy. I often tell my friends that working in corrections is seldom boring as you never know what you might be doing next. One of the more rewarding aspects of this job has been facilitating programs and being able to see participants learn new skills to better enable them to proceed through life.

Ideas At Work:

I think the fact that I am facilitating programs allows me to really see that I am making a difference. I've had some of the guys tell me, "Had I known this in high school, I never would have ended up in jail." A lot of these guys just don't have the social/coping skills that we are used to, so teaching the Cognitive Skills program has been very influential. Corrections helps with all of the other law enforcement agencies and together we give all British Columbians the freedom to go about their lives without having to worry about their safety or their family's safety.

Advice:

Although not completely necessary, someone interested in this line of work might look at taking courses relating to human behaviour, like sociology and psychology. Courses in criminology and law enforcement would also be an asset. One of the things I did was volunteer with Victim Assistance through the police force which gave me some insight. I believe there are also volunteer opportunities throughout court system with Legal Aid. I think a person that would be a good fit for this job is someone who has good self-control and communications skills, is fairly patient and observant and is able to get along with all types of people in a variety of situations.