Sharyn Johnson

Sharyn Johnson completed a degree in Behavioural Studies at the Ipswich Campus in 2003.  She is now employed with the Department of Corrective Services as a Community Corrections Officer at Ipswich and as part of her role, working for the Drug Court Pilot Program as a Case Manager.

Sharyn is responsible for the supervision of offenders who are either on bail or who have been granted an Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Order from the Drug Court.  Drug Court is a pilot program which commenced in 2000 and is subject to government funding on an annual basis.  The purpose of the Drug Court is to divert offenders from jail who attribute their criminal behaviours to their drug addiction.  Drug Court participants must successfully complete a rehabilitation plan which has been specifically designed to meet their rehabilitation goals.

"My role is to supervise participants of the Drug Court to ensure they meet these goals so they can reside in the community as ?drug and crime free' citizens.  As a Community Corrections officer, I must, at all times, maintain the safety of the community, therefore, I may recommend Drug Court participants return to jail if they do not comply with the rules of their rehabilitation program."

Sharyn often has cause to draw on the wide variety of knowledge that was learnt through her degree.  "UQ have provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to re-enter the workforce as a ?professional'.  I have always been employed but with the skills learnt from my degree, I have been able to move into a job which I would not have been eligible for previously."

When asked how she found studying at UQ, "Excellent, I completed the majority of my studies at the Ipswich Campus which I found to be a very relaxed and student friendly place of learning.  I was particularly fond of studying in the new library surroundings, complete with water features.  As a ?mature-aged' student I found the program was challenging yet flexible in its approach to learning."

"The staff at the school were great.  They were always approachable with any questions.  They challenged our previous thinking and assisted in developing us as both individuals and students.  I have and will continue to recommend this degree to friends, family and anyone who asks about it."
 

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