Bruno Garibaldi swapped legal briefs for prison keys. Now, he’s helping keep SA’s reoffending rates the lowest in Australia.
Growing up in the Brazilian city of Goiânia, Bruno Garibaldi was surrounded by law – his family all worked in justice.
He never imagined trading his career as a lawyer for life as a correctional officer in Port Lincoln Prison.
“My wife always dreamed of living abroad,” Bruno says. “I agreed to give Australia six months.” Those six months became years, multiple career shifts, and ultimately, a new start in corrections.
From lawyer to chef – and beyond
Initially landing in Melbourne in 2015, Bruno worked various jobs before turning his love of cooking into a career as a chef, helping secure residency. He and his wife opened a successful café in regional Victoria, even winning a local business award.
Then COVID hit, Victoria’s visa laws changed, and moving to regional South Australia became their ticket to staying in Australia – a turning point Bruno calls “one of the happiest” in his life.
Returning to justice
Settling in Port Lincoln, Bruno judged the time was right to return to his career passion of justice. After briefly working as a sheriff’s officer, he followed a friend’s suggestion and applied to become a correctional officer.
“My views on prisons were shaped by Brazil’s system, which is focused heavily on punishment,” Bruno says. “But here, it’s completely different.”
Bruno completed intensive training as part of the Correctional Officer Training Course, including classroom learning, practical experience, the completion of a Certificate III in Correctional Practice, and probationary work – which showed him what life was really like in Australian prisons.
“Most people think prison is dangerous like American movies,” Bruno says. “But we don’t carry weapons – we mostly rely on de-escalation. I’ve never felt unsafe. Prisoners appreciate routine and safety as much as we do.”
‘We’re trying to show them an alternative path’
Bruno emphasises the rehabilitative role correctional officers play, busting the myth that prison is only for “bad” people.
“Sometimes, it’s people who’ve just made a huge mistake, which we know everyone can do,” he says. “But for many prisoners, it’s due to a tough upbringing. They’ve never experienced another way of life – maybe their parents were involved with drugs, and they simply don’t know any differently. We’re trying to show them an alternative path.”
Port Lincoln Prison offers extensive vocational training, education in numeracy, literacy, business, horticulture, and more – far different to the jails back in Brazil.
“In Brazil, prisoners mostly sit in their cells all day. Here, we try to ensure they leave prison with the training and skills to build a better life,” he says.
Making history and breaking records
This rehabilitative focus has helped South Australia maintain the nation’s lowest reoffending rate. Bruno himself was part of South Australia’s largest-ever group of correctional officer graduates, reflecting the state government’s push to lower the reoffending rate further.
“Correctional officers play a really important role in prisoners’ progress,” Bruno says. “We show them there’s more to life than prison – we try to be role models. I’ve been fortunate to be able to help a lot of people.”
One of the most fulfilling parts of Bruno’s job is seeing inmates genuinely committed to change. “When someone you’ve been working with is about to get out and they say, ‘That’s it – I’ve learned my lesson and I’m not coming back here,’ that’s so good. It’s very rewarding.”
Life behind bars – but not how you think
Bruno describes a supportive, family-like community among correctional officers. “You always know everyone on the team has your back,” he says.
His fellow graduates included 19 men and 13 women aged between 20 and 58, from a variety of cultural backgrounds including Aboriginal, African, Indian, and Vietnamese. Bruno says this diversity helps make our prisons safer and more inclusive.
“Everyone brings different experiences and strengths to make the team stronger,” he says.
Some people might be surprised, but Bruno says corrections is a great career for young women as well as men. He says the young female officers he trained with are doing really well. “They’re caring, and the male prisoners really respect them,” he says.
The job also provides stability and pathways for career growth, something Bruno appreciates.
“The Department (for Correctional Services) supports further study if I decide to pursue a law degree – but being a lawyer again isn’t the end goal. It would purely be to enhance my role in corrections,” Bruno says.
From Brazil to Port Lincoln
Today, Bruno feels completely at home in Port Lincoln. “This place is paradise – quiet, beautiful, perfect for family,” he says. “My son was born here – he’ll have an Aussie accent!”
Would he recommend a corrections career? Bruno doesn’t hesitate: “Absolutely. It’s challenging, rewarding, and never boring – every day is different.”
Inspired by Bruno’s journey? Explore becoming a correctional officer here.
