Department of Justice

Congratulations to Larry Smith, Assistant Director of Prisoner Employment Programs and Transitional Services, and the team behind the Department of Justice’s Prisoner Employment Program.

Getting Gala Ready Prisoners around the State have been busy making and baking, painting and planting, in preparation for our annual Gala Day art auction. The popular charity fundraiser event will be held on Saturday November 2 at the Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women in Bentley which will open its doors to the public from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. The auction will feature more than 50 unique artworks painted by prisoners. There will also be stalls selling crafts, plants and baked goods. This year’s proceeds will be donated to The Haven Centre and Cycling Without Age. Gala Day has raised more than $347,000 for charity since it began in 2005.

Top Teamwork Congratulations to our staff who have been named finalists in the 2024 Australasian Youth Justice Awards. A team of Aboriginal Youth Support Officers at Banksia Hill Detention Centre have been selected in the Exceptional Practice (Team) category for their outstanding cultural care, dedication and commitment to the young people in our care. And Psychologist Dr Kristie is a finalist in the Exceptional Practice (Individual) category for her groundbreaking research which has led to WA leading the world in the adaption of risk and needs assessment for indigenous populations. Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia presented the finalists with certificates on Australasian Youth Justice Acknowledgement Day. The day recognises and raises awareness of the extraordinary and challenging work youth justice staff do across Australia and New Zealand. The winners of the AYJA Awards for 2024 will be revealed on 11 December 2024 via a virtual awards ceremony. 

Learning to Shine 💎   About 20 Casuarina Prisoners were taught a valuable lesson about getting in the right head space for learning new skills. As part of Adult Learners Week, the prisoners took part in a special jewellery craft session making crystal pendants for loved ones from silver wire and amethyst, citrine and quartz. This year’s theme ‘Take the Journey’ was apt with some of the prisoners taking their first real steps in education and others completing tertiary degree or taking pre-university bridging courses. With thanks to Sarah from Fremantle’s HeART Studio, the jewellery workshop also taught the men relaxation methods to get them in the best frame of mind for learning and improve their wellbeing. 

In Living Colour There’s a rich vein of artistic talent to be found in one of the State’s maximum-security prisons. That’s evident in an exhibition of paintings from Albany Regional Prison at the city’s Vancouver Arts Centre. The brilliant colours in more than 30 artworks come from the brushes of predominantly Aboriginal prisoners, depicting Culture, stories and land. “See yourself be yourself and surprise everyone,” one of the artists says of participating in the prison’s art program. The gallery is open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. The exhibition runs until 8 November. For further information: https://lnkd.in/gbPcpwpB City of Albany

Health Help A Health Expo at Bandyup Prison has raised awareness about the range of services available to the women when they return to the community. More than 200 women were able to engage with health professionals and raise questions or concerns they had about their health - or the health of a family member. A big thank you to all the 15 exhibitors who visited the site, including WA Cervical Cancer Prevention, BreastScreen WA, Homeless Health Centre, Diabetes WA, and the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service.

Brave hearts 💛 Two Corrective Services Officers have been honoured for selfless actions taken during emergencies in the community. Principal Officer Gavin Trevena (left) and Senior Officer James Dean (right) were among 57 Western Australian recognised at the 2024 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards today. Mr Dean was awarded for his part in efforts to revive two children who drowned in the Swan River last New Year’s Eve. Mr Trevena was a volunteer in a Mandurah Sea Rescue crew which came to the assistance of a stricken diver. Both were awarded Gold Medallions. Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said both Officers had drawn on their invaluable training and experience to come to the aid of people in distress.

Playing for real Check out the action of a mock prison disturbance that tested the emergency response skills of personnel from the Department of Justice and WA Police Force. Officers from the Department’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and WA Police’s Regional Operations Group (ROG) joined forces in the training operation at Casuarina Prison. Serco staff from Acacia Prison also participated by role playing as rioting prisoners. Monitored by drone and body worn camera vision, the exercise was staged to evaluate the effectiveness of the SOG and ROG operating together during an emergency at a custodial facility requiring Police involvement. For further information: https://lnkd.in/gFDc524X

When the Boddington Resource Centre found its foodbank empty, WA Police Force Blue Light reached out to Karnet Prison Farm to help restock the pantry.   The men working in the prison kitchen cooked up more than 190 high quality precooked meals to provide farm-to-fork food to families struggling with cost-of-living pressures. 

Making the Grade Teachers at Casuarina Prison are running classes covering basic reading, writing and numeracy. Many prisoners missed out on going to school as children for a variety of reasons and the classes are a way to bridge any gap in education. Importantly, the classes are building confidence among the participants to enter further study and improve their employment opportunities when they leave prison.