HIDDEN away in the Gold Coast hinterland is the Numinbah Correctional Centre, a low-security prison recently converted to hold only female inmates.

Not exactly the first place that pops to mind when you think of Gold Coast and Tweed women trotting off to work each morning.

But deputy general manager Julie Steinheuer can think of nowhere else she'd rather work.

It takes guts, patience, a good sense of humour and an open mind, and while corrective services may not be for everyone, Ms Steinheuer believes if you think you can do it, it's well worth a shot.

"I find it so rewarding. Some days get difficult but I love knowing that I can turn the lives of these prisoners around," she said.

"I really like the job security and the camaraderie between the staff."

While most law-abiding citizens turn a blind and often judgmental eye to those with a criminal history, Ms Steinheuer doesn't judge.

"You never know what someone's situation is or what their upbringing is like, so you don't judge. We get them doing cooking and cleaning and budgets, so hopefully they'll mirror that when they get out."

And with International Women's Day just gone, Ms Steinheuer acknowledges how attitudes have changed from when she entered the industry 25 years ago.

"It's getting easier but it wasn't always. The attitude was definitely there to begin with, but I don't let people get to me," she said.

"While it's great having a lot of women, the women here need good male role models because often they've never spoken to a man who respects them."

So, ladies, do you think you could handle it?