Cultural information to strengthen supports for Aboriginal offenders

The initiative is an Australian first for corrections and includes developing complementary data and reporting systems. It's being rolled out at Western Australia’s custodial facilities and in community corrections settings.

A Corrective Services project team is gathering information volunteered by offenders related to cultural and family ties, language needs, disabilities and medical conditions.

The data can then be accessed by Corrective Services officers on a single screen, enabling them to provide timely offender management and support when required.

Increasing staff knowledge of offenders’ cultural identities is also expected to enhance the safety and security of custodial facilities and the community.

The Department has partnered with the National Indigenous Australian Agency and collaborated with key Aboriginal native title agencies to compile a WA cultural connections list for this project.

“By having this vital information at our fingertips, we can strengthen efforts to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in our care and reduce their contact with the criminal justice system,” Department Director General Kylie Maj said.

“This initiative builds our cultural capacity, helping us make better decisions and improving our reporting practices,” Ms Maj said.

Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce thanked staff for the large body of work and research that has gone into realising the project, aided by partnering with key stakeholders.

“Having this sort of information available can assist officers in making practical decisions like ensuring the safe placement of a prisoner or that someone needs an interpreter for a court appearance,” Commissioner Royce said.

“It also deepens our understanding of the Aboriginal peoples in our care and respectfully recognises their cultural backgrounds,” he said.

The project team has been gathering information at prisons since mid-year and will extend the rollout to youth detention centres and Adult Community Corrections next year. 

Individuals who choose to take part can opt out later if desired.