South Coast Correctional Centre's Senior Services and Programs Officer, Sarah Howard has been awarded the Australian Corrections Medal for distinguished service as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Ms Howard is one of three CSNSW staff, who along with Ken Pese (Custodial Corrections, Sydney) and Louise Smith (St Heliers Correctional Centre, Muswellbrook) who have been recognised for their outstanding service, leadership and commitment to reducing reoffending.

The Australian Corrections Medal is the highest honour a correctional officer can receive.

Now based at the South Nowra Jail, Ms Howard began duty at Dillwynia Correctional Centre, which is part of the Francis Greenway Correctional Complex in Berkshire Park, Sydney in 2005 after completing a degree in social science, majoring in psychology.

During her 16-year career with CSNSW, she has been instrumental in devising and implementing initiatives that better support female offenders transitioning into the community.

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She developed a housing accord between CSNSW and other government and non-government agencies to provide safe and secure housing for newly released female offenders who would normally be homeless or facing domestic abuse.

Sarah was also the driving force behind a unique program at Dillwynia that successfully connects inmates with work, rehabilitation and housing support agencies prior to their release.

In 2009 she established the role of Throughcare and Placement Officer at the Bundaleer Community Offender Support Program and wrote the scope, description and duties of the position.

This paved the way for her appointment in 2014 to one of the first Senior Services and Programs Officer positions, where she established the duties and processes for the role.

In 2015 Sarah and her team were recognised as state leaders in program retention, delivery and completion rates.

It was seen as a breakthrough alternative sentencing option for courts and some elements are now being further developed by CSNSW for use in programs for female offenders.

Sarah's dedication to supporting female offenders returning to the community throughout her career is commendable.

"This award has been a truly humbling experience," she said.

"I'd like to acknowledge the teams I've worked along with, and my past and present managers who have mentored and supported me in my pursuits.

"I'm grateful to have had opportunities to collaborate with government and non-government organisations on these projects and am proud to see their ongoing development."

Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts congratulated the recipients, whose excellence has been demonstrated across a variety of areas.

"Corrective Services NSW staff work extremely hard to reduce reoffending and keep the community safe every day. They're the unsung heroes of our frontline, whose work behind prison walls or in parole offices often goes unnoticed," Mr Roberts said.

"This is an opportunity to celebrate their professionalism, skills and dedication to enhancing our prison system and promoting offender rehabilitation.

"This year's recipients are exemplary and deserve recognition for their outstanding efforts and the positive impact they've had on Corrective Services NSW, their colleagues and the community."

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