Mick Reid retires after 36 years in Corrections

Mr Reid retired from his position as Governor of the South Coast Correctional Centre last week, and said he realised early in his career that his nature was well-suited to work in Corrections.

His first day of training was June 18, 1984 at Long Bay training complex.

"I was a bit younger and naive, so it was daunting to step into that environment," he said.

"But it must have suited - I think I have the right temperament."

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Since then he's seen - and handled - everything from assaults to riots.

No matter how serious an incident is, he makes it a point never to take work home.

And although he's been involved in some hairy situations, he said nothing compares to the feeling when everything goes right.

"I couldn't put down one proudest achievement, but when things go wrong and we manage to get staff out safely, that's a good feeling," he said.

"But there's 100 things I could say have been good about my job."

He said one of the biggest challenges was change.

When he first began to work in prisons, inmates weren't allowed to make eye contact with, or talk to guards unless they were spoken to first.

Now, Corrective Services provides more case management, and aims to support inmates' rehabilitation.

"Jails are completely different now," he said.

"The way we treat inmates and the way they reciprocate that treatment - you still have your hotheads but communication has changed things for the better.

"Many inmates look for a better side of themselves, and staff help them try to find that."

Mr Reid said it was very rewarding to see an inmate improve themselves - and not come back.

"Inmates are normal people, they look normal, they've just done the wrong thing," he said.

"Jails are not like what you see on TV from America."

Mr Reid had two pieces for advice for anyone considering a career in Corrective Services.

Firstly, if you don't like it, get out.

Second, broaden your horizons.

"It's a great career if you're suited to it, and you'll know pretty quickly whether you are or not," he said.

"There are roles in canine handling, intelligence, trades - don't get bogged down, have a look and give them a go."

Good relationships with other services, as well as his staff, have also been critical to Mr Reid's longevity.

"There's 367 staff on the South Coast and they're all excellent," he said.

"The police, ambulance and hospital have all been excellent and we could all work together. It's been a good time."

It was fortunate such good working relationships had already been established, because Mr Reid's last 12 months at work were some of the most challenging of his career.

The Currowan bushfire came within three kilometres of the South Coast Correctional Centre, and many staff members were cut off from their homes by highway closures.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way prisons had to operate.

Visitors have not been allowed in NSW prisons since March, and audio-visual link and tablet visits have taken their place.

But Mr Reid has taken it all in stride.

That's not to say he isn't looking forward to a more relaxed pace of life.

He is currently building a house, and when that's finished, hopes to travel Australia with his wife.

"Now the biggest decision is when to have a coffee and who will walk the dog," he said.

"I'm looking forward to it."