Services for inmates with a disability

Statewide Disability Services (SDS) sits within the Specific Needs cluster, Corrective Services NSW.  It is a multidisciplinary team that addresses the additional support needs of offenders with disability. SDS assists all offenders with disability whether in custody or in the community.

Roles within SDS

Psychology services in SDS operate within a multi-disciplinary team.  Various roles in SDS include:

• Senior Psychologist / Psychologists
  
• Senior Neuropsychologist / Neuropsychologist
• Manager SDS / Services & Programs Officers (SAPOs) / Project Officer / Training Coordinator / Administration Officer

Services provided by SDS Psychology

• Triage, mental health assessment, behaviour assessment, risk assessment, behaviour support, and program facilitation.
• Administration of standardised assessment tools.
• Provision of individual psychology services/ maintenance of a caseload.
• Development of reports and attendance at MHRT hearings for forensic patients with cognitive impairment.
• Support, co​​​nsultation and advice to internal and external stakeholders working with offenders with disability.
• Advice regarding delivery of formal treatment programs for offenders with disability.
• Staff training in disability, principles of behaviour support, and communication.
• Assistance with pre-release planning for offenders with disability, including referral to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other service providers. 

Eligibility criteria for SDS offender services

An offender must have one or more of the following disabilities:

• Intellectual Disability or Borderline intellectual functioning
• Acquired Brain Injury (including traumatic brain injury and Alcohol/Drug Related Brain Injury)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Dementia
• Sensory Disability (Hearing or Vision Impairment)
• Physical Disability
• Frail Aged

Additional Information

SDS is based at Long Bay Correctional Complex, however on occasion the role may involve travel to conduct assessments or training at other NSW locations

SDS oversees the Additional Support Units (ASUs) at Long Bay Correctional Complex which house inmates with cognitive impairment.

If you have a client, friend or family member that has a disability and is in custody or managed by Community Corrections, and would benefit from specialist assistance, please contact SDS - 02 9289 2136 or email sds-osp@justice.nsw.gov.au