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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-10-31 Daily Xml
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Answers to Questions

Prisoner Support and Treatment

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE (19 October 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse): The Minister for Correctional Services is advised that:

The state government unveiled the Reducing Reoffending: 10% by 2020 (10 by 20) Strategy on 11 August 2016. In December 2016, the independent Strategic Policy Panel produced a report detailing six key strategies and 36 associated recommendations.

While all of the panel’s recommendations are relevant to Aboriginal offenders, Strategy Four, Strategy for Aboriginal Offenders, specifically recommends targeted and culturally appropriate services and programs for this cohort. The Aboriginal Reference Group, formed to support the 10 by 20 panel, will continue to provide strategic advice to the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) and support the development of an action plan to achieve this strategy.

The department’s Aboriginal Services Unit (ASU) works across DCS to oversee the development of culturally appropriate services, policies and procedures. The unit also actively participates in the growth of partnerships and support for Aboriginal community organisations, and other government departments; and for the provision of targeted services to Aboriginal prisoners, offenders and their families. The department’s Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALOs) provide similar support to offenders and their families.

Programs developed by ASU specifically aimed at addressing the needs of Aboriginal offenders include:

The Aboriginal Elders Visiting Program (AEVP) is a volunteer program where Aboriginal Elders visit prisons across the state. Aboriginal Elders engage with Aboriginal men and women to encourage and provide support in a culturally appropriate manner. The AEVP assists prisoners to re-establish and strengthen their connection to family and community prior to exiting prison. Aboriginal Elders, through their cultural authority, assist in strengthening family kinship ties; and remind and encourage offenders of their cultural and family responsibilities within their community.

Our Way: My Choice program is an Aboriginal preparatory and wellness program for Aboriginal men. The program aims to increase the self-awareness and engagement of its participants. It is a valuable tool in preparing Aboriginal participants in a culturally safe learning environment to enable enhanced receptiveness towards the department’s criminogenic programs such as the Violence Prevention Program (VPP), Sexual Behaviours Clinic (SBC), Sexual Behaviours Me Clinic (SBC Me), and Making Changes (MC).

Respect Sista Girls 2 is a cultural and wellness program for Aboriginal women. The program aims to build self-awareness and self-esteem by providing participants with the necessary tools to empower them to make better life choices which will enable them to fulfil their obligations, roles and responsibilities within their families and the wider Aboriginal community.

The DRUMBEAT program is designed to build trust through a safe and non-confronting therapeutic process. The program has been designed for people for whom English is not the first language, and who have limited skills or confidence communicating in English. DRUMBEAT transfers learning through both an experiential learning process (traditional Aboriginal learning from observation and practice) and cognitive behavioural therapy (self-awareness through cognitive reasoning). The program targets six recognised ‘risk factors’ associated with criminal behaviour and recidivism; low self-esteem, alienation, isolation, poor use of recreational time and poor social skills, drug and alcohol use and emotional control.

The delivery of specific Aboriginal numeracy and literacy programs through Port Augusta TAFE and Pakani Arangka. Pakani Arangka, which means ‘a good growing place’, is located at Port Augusta Prison. The unit allows for cultural interaction amongst prisoners whilst providing a range of culturally specific programs.

The Aboriginal Services Unit is also responsible for increasing the participation of Aboriginal people in employment across the department. Currently approximately 4.5% of the DCS workforce identifies as Aboriginal. The DCS Workforce plan 2017-20 has a target of 6% Aboriginal participation.

Further to this, the department administrates a Community Grants Program with the aim of providing innovative services and programs to enhance protective factors for offenders in relation to their recidivism. Protective factors include addressing matters such as employment, health, housing, relationships, finance and budgeting, and a range of other key life skills. Several of the Community Grants projects are specific to Aboriginal offenders.

In 2015-16, through the Grant Program:

Kokotinna Towilla Program – 'Healing Our Spirit' supported Aboriginal males exiting prison with the aim of reducing and preventing re-offending.

The Aboriginal ConneXtions Centre provided a six-week 'live work training' course in construction for 10 Aboriginal offenders. Participants learnt skills in construction including flooring, plumbing and painting.

The Empathy, Not Sympathy – Gutter 2 Glory Program provided support to 24 Aboriginal offenders with services including reconnection with family and culture, diversion from incarceration, reduced homelessness and engagement with mental health services. Importantly, through this program three participants gained active employment and six commenced education.

In 2016-17 further grants have been offered:

The Aboriginal Foundation of South Australia Inc. Retaining Wall Training Program will deliver civil construction units of competency for women to undertake live-works training to construct a retaining wall at the Adelaide Women's Prison.

The engagement of a workplace mentor at Aboriginal Recruitment and Training (ART) Services will increase their capacity to employ and retain more Aboriginal staff with a history of offending. ART's current workforce includes over 80 Aboriginal employees, of which a significant number have had some contact with the justice system. The mentor will work with current ART employees that have offended or reoffended and are at risk of losing their employment.

Through the Aboriginal Visitors Scheme, Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement will trial a visiting program at the Adelaide City Watch House and Holden Hill Police Cells to better meet the needs of Aboriginal communities. The visiting program will make contact with up to 40 Aboriginal adults per month.

The Men Accessing Services project aims to reduce recidivism among Aboriginal men by providing a dedicated point of contact within the community to assist with case plans and throughcare in the Riverland areas of Berri, Barmera, Renmark, Loxton and Waikerie.

Marra Dreaming will run 40 Connecting Through Art workshops for Aboriginal participants. This program is directed at Aboriginal female offenders in Adelaide Women’s Prison and Pre-Release Centre and aims to encourage women to engage with Marra Dreaming upon release.

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