The Andrews Labor Government is supporting programs that strengthen Aboriginal prisoners’ cultural connections and reduce recidivism through grants worth almost $2.5 million.
Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney announced the Kaka Wangity, Wangin-Mirrie Aboriginal cultural program grant recipients at the Aboriginal Justice Forum in Geelong tonight.
The organisations delivering the culturally focused programs in prisons and Community Correctional Services are:
- Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service
- Connecting Home Ltd
- Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency
- Relationships Australia Victoria
The Kaka Wangity, Wangin-Mirrie grants form part of the Labor Government’s commitment to the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, designed to drive down the over representation of aboriginal people in Victorian prisons.
The programs – funded until December 2019 – are designed to rehabilitate Aboriginal prisoners by focusing on cultural strengthening, family violence, healing, parenting and women’s programs.
By boosting connections to family and culture, the grants are designed to reduce the risk of reoffending and contribute to a safer Victoria.
Ms Tierney also announced a $710,000 Continuity of Aboriginal Health Care Pilot to be rolled out over the next two years.
The pilot, led by Justice Health, will ensure Aboriginal women and men exiting Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC), Dhurringile Prison and Fulham Correctional Centre are supported to access health care services in the community.
The pilot will be delivered by three Aboriginal-run organisations – Ngwala Willumbong (at DPFC), Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative (Dhurringile) and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (Fulham).
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney
“Through culturally focused education and rehabilitation, our corrections system can help people turn their lives around helping make Victoria a safer place.”
“Aboriginal prisoners are still over represented in Victorian Prisons and these grants invest in the organisations that assist and rehabilitate Aboriginal people in our correctional system.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020