Page 1279 - Week 04 - Thursday, 5 May 2022

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Following disruptions caused by COVID, ACT Corrective Service is now rebuilding the program schedule. The aim is to run the program each day, which includes content from Toora’s Coming Home program, the Elders Healing Program, Shine for Kids and Pathways From prison group.

DR PATERSON: Minister, how will the Integrated Offender Management framework support women at the AMC?

MR GENTLEMAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Well following extensive consultation in the integrated offender management framework was finalised in December 2021 and the IOM framework ensures a cooperative and coordinated approach in working with a detainee from entry into custody to transition back into community is achieved.

The development of the women's focused implementation plan has been completed with a number of existing and new initiatives who are well into development implementation as well. Its focused implementation has been working through the IOM for women in the first instance, and has ensured a focus on the specific factors and needs of women right through the stages of consultation, design, development and now implementation.

So I am pleased to say that Corrections has done some excellent work in designing and delivering new psycho-educational and criminogenic programs to the women in the AMC. Since December 2021, 32 female detainees have been enrolled in the brief intervention programs designed to improve knowledge and coping skills.

The Explore, Question, Understand, Investigate, Practice, Succeed suite of offence specific programs targeting addiction, aggression, family violence and general offending also commenced in March 2022. A total of nine sentenced female detainees are currently participating in that program.

Corrections has also been working to expand its offering of drug and alcohol services for women. A pilot of the dialectical behavioural therapy was conducted during late 2021 and is currently being tailored for women. This program provides alcohol and drug program intervention at the earliest point in a detainee's sentence. So enhancing the detainee's commitment and readiness for more high intensity therapeutic community programs, with support post release. The reintegration needs assessment tool—(time expired).

MS ORR: Minister, how is the Yeddung Mura alternative reporting site supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been released from the AMC on parole?

MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Orr for the question. We have met, of course, with Yeddung Mura and really encourage the work they are doing. The government is committed to reducing overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system, and post release support is a critical component of that goal.


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