The purpose of the Prisoner Through Care sub-program, is to provide funding for the development and implementation of innovative and culturally relevant services for Indigenous offenders, to help reduce repeat offending and over-representation in the criminal justice system.
The Prisoner Through Care sub-program service expectations include:
- culturally appropriate case management and referral using a range of techniques, including crisis intervention and conflict resolution
- regular visits to correctional institutions
- assessment of the needs of targeted offenders and the development of effective case management plans (to include discussion with family and relevant others)
- assistance and advocacy for the offender in relation to sentence management issues
- visiting marginalised communities to assist offenders to access restorative justice options and educate and encourage the development of restorative justice options, where appropriate
- compile monthly statistical reports, and
- under direction from agency management, assisting in identifying broader trends and issues that affect prisoners, and liaison with other agencies to improve services.
The Department appointed Australian Healthcare Associates to undertake a rapid, comprehensive impact reviews to assess the effectiveness of the Prisoner Through Care sub-program in Victoria and Tasmania.