Recommendation 185

This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW.

Recommendation

That the Department of Education, Employment and Training be responsible for the development of a comprehensive national strategy designed to improve the opportunities for the DET of those in custody. This should be done in co-operation with state Corrective Services authorities, adult education providers (including in particular independent Aboriginal-controlled providers) and State departments of employment and education. The aim of the strategy should be to extend the aims of the Aboriginal Education Policy and the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy to Aboriginal prisoners, and to develop suitable mechanisms for the delivery of DET programs to prisoners.

Context

The Royal Commission report identified that whilst there was improvement in availability of courses and greater acceptance by correctional Servies of the concept of education there were still some problems, recommendation 185 is directed at implementing a national strategy to improve education for those in custody and have a particular focus on Aboriginal Education.

Detail of implementation

Mixed model for Delivery 

In 2017, Corrective Services implemented a mixed model for the delivery of education and training programs. Education and vocational training programs, other than those at the Intensive Learning Centres at Lithgow, Mid North Coast, South Coast and Wellington Correctional Centres, are delivered by external education service providers BSI Learning and TAFE. BSI learning provides Foundation Skills Programs, including language, literacy and numeracy, and digital literacy courses and vocational training in hospitality, cleaning operations, business studies, traffic control, logistics and food services. 

BSI Learning teachers must meet the standards for Registered Training Organisations and hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and the vocational competencies in the area they deliver. This is the same qualification requirement as TAFE teachers. 

TAFE NSW provides vocational training and workplace licences in construction, engineering, horticulture, agriculture, manufacturing, forestry and warehousing. 

TAFE does not employ trainers specifically to deliver in correctional centres but allocates permanent and casual staff depending on the training required. 

Corrective Services employs Correctional Education Officers, Teachers, Education Services Coordinators and Assessment and Planning Officers.  

Corrective Services teachers provide programs at Intensive Learning Centres at Lithgow, Mid North Coast, South Coast and Wellington Correctional Centres.  

Literacy for Life  

CSNSW is partnered with Literacy for Life, who provide adult literacy programs led by Aboriginal people to eligible participants. A study ‘Impact of a Community Controlled Adult Literacy Campaign on Crime and Justice Outcomes in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities’, found that after participation in the Life Foundation adult literacy campaign, serious offences by students dropped by almost 65%. 

CSNSW initiatives 

Corrective Services continues to implement initiatives to reduce reoffending which include specific initiatives to address the needs of Aboriginal offenders to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. 

Corrective Services NSW Strategy to Support Aboriginal Offenders to Desist from Reoffending 

• Corrective Services has developed the Strategy to Support Aboriginal Offenders to Desist from Reoffending.  The strategy maintains a focus on criminogenic, education and vocational training and employment programs.  The strategy also focuses on cultural strengthening and building positive relationships with Aboriginal stakeholders and the community. 

Aboriginal-specific Programs 

• St Heliers Correctional Centre at Muswellbrook has expanded the range of traineeships and education programs available to Aboriginal offenders and offers Aboriginal Cultural Programs. 

• The Balund-a residential diversionary program at Tabulam for Aboriginal males provides criminogenic interventions, cultural connections, and employment-seeking assistance. 

• The Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program provides assistance to eligible Aboriginal inmates to obtain a birth certificate free of charge to them.  

• The Gundi Program at St Heliers builds skills and provides experience in building and construction work for Aboriginal men through the fabrication and construction of relocatable homes. Participants have the opportunity to gain skills and participate in an initiative that assists Aboriginal communities.   

• The Girrawaa Program at Bathurst Correctional Centre include artistic and business skills development programs for Aboriginal men. Aboriginal inmates are involved in an Aboriginal culturally specific program, which is designed to assist in developing artistic skills, creating an artistic portfolio and learning how to sell artwork and build careers as successful artists on release. 

• The Never Going Back Program at Dawn de Loas Correctional Centre is a community-based program for Aboriginal male inmates working with the community and local police for support in reintegrating to the Redfern area.  

• The Cultural Camp project sees male and female inmates working alongside staff for Local Aboriginal Land Councils. Participants camp, gain access to community Elders and are provided with opportunities to give back to the community while contributing to restoration and maintenance projects.  

• The Dubay Gunyah partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Office, Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation and Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation supports Aboriginal women exiting custody who are homeless by giving them medium-term housing and support.   

• The Aboriginal Community Mentors (ACM) is a strategy to assist correctional staff to support Aboriginal inmates to maintain their cultural connection.  

• Dreaming Inside is an Aboriginal inmate writing program at Junee which encourages inmates to express their thoughts in written form before compiling their work into a publication.  

• Yarning Circles have been built in 11 correctional centres across NSW in locations such as Cessnock, Broken Hill and Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centres. A further 24 Yarning Circles will be rolled out to several locations including the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre, the Metropolitan Special Programs Centre and Goulburn Correctional Centre. Yarning Circles provide a culturally safe space for Aboriginal inmates and staff to use for cultural programs, education, and special events. The Aboriginal local community is involved in the planning process at each location, and inmates have the opportunity to obtain vocational training while constructing the circles.  

• State-wide Cultural Strengthening Programs -designed and implemented in correctional centres across the state to enhance knowledge about kinship systems, and promote connection to culture, land, family and community. 

• High Intensity Program Units - Corrective Services established 10 High Intensity Program Units to provide intensive rehabilitative services and programs and enhanced release planning. There are two Aboriginal specific units at the Mid North Coast and Wellington Correctional Centres. Assistance focuses on housing, employment and strengthening family connections and support. 

Employment Initiatives for Aboriginal Offenders 

·Corrective Services has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth to operate the Time to Work Employment Program to provide pre-release assistance on employment related matters.  

 The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet funded $3.6M in 2018 under the Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy for three pilot employment-related projects to be delivered by Corrective Services by October 2022. 

Project 1: Gundanha Aboriginal Construction Facility 

• Provides employment and vocational training for Aboriginal women in the building and construction industry at Wellington Correctional Centre. The project is temporarily on hold as the centre provides urgent assistance to flood impacted areas in the State’s north.  

Project 2: Caring and Working: Aboriginal Mothers  

• Supports and promotes a stronger family environment for Aboriginal mothers and their children. 

• Build and enhance work readiness skills and build relationships with external agencies to secure safe, stable accommodation post release. 

Project 3: Emu Plains Employment and Training Hub  

• The Employment and Training Hub provides Aboriginal women offenders with greater opportunities to participate in vocational training, work readiness skills and engagement with pre and post release services. 

• The participants receive intensive case management services and have access to cultural strengthening programs and community engagement. 

• This program has been transferred to Dillwynia Correctional Centre due to the temporary closure of Emu Plains Correctional Centre. 

CSNSW partners with Aboriginal training organisations Yalagan and Walan-Miya, and Aboriginal employment agency Blackrock Industries, to provide training and employment to identified inmates.  

In addition, the training organisation Novaskill provides an Aboriginal trainer and an Aboriginal mentor to Aboriginal inmates undergoing traineeships and apprenticeships. 

The Adult Education and Vocational Training Institute (AEVTI) 

The Adult Education and Vocational Training Institute (AEVTI) is the registered training organisation (RTO) for the provision of education programs for inmates in NSW correctional centres. All training and assessments delivered meets the requirements of the VET quality framework. 

Intensive Learning Centres 

Intensive Learning Centres provide full-time education programs to inmates within a culture of learning to assist them in developing learning and social skills to participate in further education and work opportunities. 

The aim of the Intensive Learning Centres is to reduce an inmate’s risk of re-offending through educational achievement as measured by the attainment of nationally accredited certificates. 

Intensive Learning Centres are located at Mid North Coast Correctional Centre, South Coast Correctional Centre, Wellington Correctional Centre and Lithgow Correctional Centre. 

Inmate Traineeships 

Inmates who are employed with Corrective Services Industries can participate in a traineeship program. Offender trainees receive qualification as well as a Certificate of Proficiency and support post release employment opportunities. 

Upon completing a traineeship, trainees receive an Australian Qualification Framework qualification as well as a Certificate of Proficiency which supports their post-release employment opportunities. 

Traineeships can be done in a range of industries including clothing production, construction, engineering, forests and forest products, Health Support Services (laundry support), hospitality (kitchen operations) and transport and logistics. 

Vocational and Education Training 

CSNSW works in partnership with Registered Training Organisations to support employment in Corrective Services Industries and to increase to attain post-release employment. 

Courses delivered in correctional centres include Workplace Health and Safety, First Aid, Forklift, Welding, Chainsaw, Food Preparation, Engineering and Asset Maintenance. 

Distance Education 

Inmates may be eligible to participate in tertiary courses provided by external education institutions. A course enrolment must be supported in an inmate’s case plan. Inmates in NSW correctional centres do not have access to the internet which greatly restricts the delivery of distance education courses and the inmate’s ability to undertake research.   

Some courses and subjects are not available as they require special equipment or field work. Inmates are required to contribute towards the costs of their study. 

Smart and Skilled 

Smart and Skilled is a NSW Government program that helps people get qualifications in in-demand skills and industries and inmates are eligible to participate:  

It gives eligible students:  

• an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III  
• government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.  
• Students who are inmates in NSW correctional facilities do not have access to many of the documents required to allow the Provider to assess eligibility for Smart and Skilled. NSW Corrective Services records information in the Offender Integrated Management System (OIMS) which can verify:  
• Smart and skilled Eligibility:  
  • Living or working in NSW  
  • Citizenship: Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen and permanent Australian resident  
  • Humanitarian visa holder (Refugee or asylum seeker) Providers must make arrangements with the correctional facility on how information to support eligibility will be accessed/sighted. The sighting of information recorded on OIMS is deemed as sufficient evidence.