Recommendation 287

This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW and Justice Health NSW.

Recommendation

That the Commonwealth, States and Territories give higher priority to the provision of alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention and treatment programs for Aboriginal people which are functionally accessible to potential clients and are staffed by suitably trained workers, particularly Aboriginal workers. These programs should operate in a manner such that they result in greater empowerment of Aboriginal people, not higher levels of dependence on external funding bodies.

Context

The Royal Commision identified that policy development and program coordination for Aboriginal people in the alcohol and other drug field was required given the depth of the problem. Recommendation 287 is directed at requiring concerted action by Governments and health professionals to address alcohol an drug intervention and prevention. 

 

Detail of implementation

EQUIPS 

EQUIPS (Explore, Question, Understand, Investigate, Practice and Succeed) is a suite of evidence-based offender behaviour change programs delivered by CSNSW that target identified risk factors for re-offending. There are four EQUIPS programs: 1) EQUIPS Foundation 2) EQUIPS Aggression 3) EQUIPS Addiction 4) EQUIPS Domestic Abuse The programs build on each other to increase program dosage by using the same language and concepts. The programs are intentionally designed to encourage repetition and practice of similar concepts and skills. Participants are assisted to generalise their new skills across contexts and multiple problems they may face in future, which may increase their risk of reoffending.

Equips Addiction 

EQUIPS Addiction is a 20 x 2-hour session criminogenic program, targeted towards offenders who have alcohol and drug or other addictive behaviours that are related to their offending. The program is designed to address their addictive behaviour and to provide participants with a pathway to support services. EQUIPS Addiction contains group process and self-management planning sessions to help participants link their learning to their personal experience of addiction. The program helps participants reflect on choices and the factors that have led to addiction and eventually crime. The program addresses cravings and urges and explores strategies for managing thoughts, feelings and actions in relation to these. Additionally, EQUIPS Addiction is suitable for all offence types which means a group can include multiple participants with different offence types.

Program facilitators are required to meet training requirements as set out in the CSNSW Compendium of Offender Behaviour Change Programs. Facilitators are also expected to participate in Program Development Workshops delivered by the State-wide Programs team.

Staff Training sets out the standards relating to staff training requirements. Staff who deliver programs are required to complete the courses set out below:

Attends Creative Group Work conducted by the State-wide Programs Team 

• The Creative Group Work training course is aimed at developing the capacity of staff to effectively manage group dynamics. This is an experiential training course aimed at deepening learning and consolidating existing group facilitation skills. The focus of the training is the use of “here-and-now” processes in managing group interactions and interventions that promote change. Creative Group Work consists of 6 days face to face training over 2 blocks of 3 days, usually with 4 weeks between blocks. In addition to attending the training, participants are required to submit a written assessment (8 short answer questions) and to facilitate a 30-minute presentation within block 2 of the program.

• Attends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) conducted by the State-wide Programs Team. The Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Training allows staff to becoming familiar with CBT, which forms the theoretical basis of the programs that they will be delivering. The training aims to inform staff of the key concepts involved in CBT and give some practical applications and demonstrations of this approach.

• Attends Motivational Interactions conducted by Brush Farm Corrective Services Academy (BFCSA). Motivational Interactions is an approach towards strengthening an individual’s own level of motivation. Using the cycle of change model, participants will learn to use ‘change talk’ and other motivational techniques. This course helps to develop skills and techniques designed to assist people towards positive change.

• Undergoes appropriate program content training conducted by the State-wide Programs Team 

Program referral 

For a custodial population, offenders identified as having the highest risk of return to custody as assessed by the TRAS are prioritised. Inmates who are on remand or who are appellants are not eligible.

Offenders should also meet one of the following criteria:

• Offenders who have significant substance addiction history as assessed by the PARRCC and/or MAPP

• Offenders who have significant gambling addiction history as assessed by the PARRCC and/or MAPP

• Inmates who are on remand or who are appellants are not eligible

• Those who do not meet the program eligibility threshold based on risk, but who are identified with the following needs, may be considered for participation:

• 3 x Offences in Custody related to drugs within the last 12 months 

• Are identified by a management program such as serious or special interest offenders

For community-based offenders, eligibility will be determined by the Level of Service Inventory Revised (LSI-R). Offenders who are medium risk and above will be eligible for programs, with priority given to those at highest risk.

Remand Addiction

The Remand Addiction Intervention is based on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) principles and strategies. Remand Addiction is run as an open group intervention, which takes account of the high turn-over of remandees who may be in custody for short periods and therefore, may leave an intervention group at any time.

Participation in the intervention is voluntary, and there is no requirement for the participants to admit guilt or take responsibility for the charges for which they are currently on remand.

The program is a modified version of EQUIPS Addiction, delivered in a rolling group format. This allows for inmates to enter and exit the intervention at any time and inmates can attend as many (or few) session as their circumstances allow. Each intervention session should run for 2 hours.

The intervention aims to provide remandees with CBT-based addiction support to help them to better understand their addiction, reduce unhelpful thinking and distress, and to learn new coping skills.

Inmates participating in Remand Addiction do not complete the EQUIPS Addiction program. They attend the sessions for support and guidance in relation to their addictive behaviour. Importantly, offence details are not discussed during the intervention. Offenders who participate in Remand Addiction will receive an attendance statement only.

Program referral

There are no risk rating requirements related to participation in Remand Addiction. Inmates can be referred to the intervention based on evidence of them having a significant addiction history (determined at initial intake and screening). Inmates can also be referred if they self-identify as having a substance abuse or gambling problem.

Program facilitators

Remand Addiction facilitators must have completed all training required to deliver EQUIPS Addiction, have significant experience facilitating the EQUIPS Addiction program to and attended Rolling Groups training. They must also be familiar with group guidelines on mandatory reporting.

Addiction Support Groups 

Addiction support groups can be facilitated for un-sentenced and sentenced offenders. They do not require a risk rating or suitability assessment. They include: 

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

• Gamblers Anonymous (GA)

• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Intensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program (IDATP)

Similar to HIPUs, the Intensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program (IDATP), on the John Morony Correctional Complex, is a residential (live in) program for male and female offenders who have a drug and /or alcohol problem which is linked to their offending behaviour.

The IDATP aims to:

• help offenders gain an understanding of their substance abuse dependence and offending behaviour

• reduce the likelihood of re-offending

• give offenders the skills, resources and support needed to return to the community, alcohol and/or drug-free and crime-free.

The IDATP takes a holistic approach incorporating a range of therapeutic, health, education, vocation and pre-release interventions aimed at addressing substance dependence, offending behaviour and reintegration. Currently IDATP is facilitated in a rolling format lasting approximately 6-8 months. However, the length of time spent in the program may vary, depending on participant progress. Whilst in the program, participants are expected to also engage in either education or employment. 

IDATP is offered to offenders at the Outer Metropolitan Multi-Purpose Correction Centre and Dillwynia Correctional Centre.

The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training (ACAT) is also run in all HIPUs and at IDAPT. It is coordinated by the Aboriginal Strategy Directorate to new custodial and non-custodial recruits within CSNSW at the CSNSW Brush Farm Academy.

The delivery of the training is in line with the departments strategy to support Aboriginal offenders to desist from re-offending. It improves the capacity and competency of the CSNSW staff to interact effectively with Aboriginal offenders and their families.

The ACAT is a one-day training program made up of four modules:

Module 1 – Culture

Module 2 – Historical and Contemporary Understanding

Module 3 – Communication in an Aboriginal Context

Module 4 – Managing Aboriginal Offenders at Risk

Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre (CDTCC)

The CDTCC is an interagency endeavour - primarily between CSNSW, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and NSW Justice. A multidisciplinary team at the centre ensures treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of male participants who have repeatedly offended in order to support a severe drug dependence.

The CDTCC is primarily guided by the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre Act 2004 which commenced on 21 July 2006. The CDTCC was opened by the Minister for Justice on 23 September 2006 and received its first participants on 4 September 2006.

There are three stages of the program: 

Stage 1: 

• Closed detention for at least six months in a secure environment. 

• Programs include adult education and work readiness programs, skills programs that address health-related issues, and therapeutic programs that target dynamic risk factors for drug-related offending.

Stage 2: 

• Semi-open detention for at least six months with access to programs in the community. 

• Programs sought in the community include employment, adult education and vocational training, and social opportunities to assist in effective re-integration. 

• Therapeutic programs to maintain positive behaviour change will also be delivered at the CDTCC, with an emphasis on improved family and social relationships. 

Stage 3: 

• Community custody at accommodation approved by the Drug Court under intensive supervision. 

• Programs sought in the community consolidate gains made in Stage 2 and increase access to mainstream community services. 

• The Drug Court determines release on parole.

High Intensity Programs Units (HIPUs)

There are two High Intensity Programs Units (HIPUs) located in Wellington and Mid-North Coast Correctional Centres which are dedicated to the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates. These specific HIPUs provide culturally appropriate support and assistance to these inmates, with an emphasis on housing, employment, and family/community connections. Aboriginal specific HIPUs will treat approximately 240 inmates a year.  For female offenders, Wellington is the only HIPU available.  

The content of CSNSW criminogenic programs including those that run within the HIPUs, including those addressing AOD issues, is not designed specifically for Aboriginal offenders; rather responsivity and engagement should continue to be acknowledged on an individual basis and addressed within the existing group formats.

Facilitation standards 

The Offender Program and Facilitation Standards explain that all facilitators must work with Indigenous values, concepts, and processes. This is achieved by effectively managing Indigenous cultural processes and protocols in facilitating the program through the following processes and protocols: 

• Understanding the impact of cultural relationships on group processes, for example:
  • Relationships of obligation
  • Avoidance relationships
  • Role of cultural hierarchy in group discussion
• Conventions relating to naming deceased people
• Effect of shame on group process and participation 
• Appropriate gender roles
• Facilitator recognises relevant cultural processes and protocols and integrates them into their group management, for example
  • Role of elders in approving and leading discussions
  • Difficulties experienced by group participants who are in group with someone they have an avoidance relationship with
• Where the facilitator must breach processes or protocols, this is done in a sensitive way which acknowledges the cultural validity of the roles (e.g. “I know I shouldn’t ask about ….. but would you mind just telling me …. ”)

The facilitator acknowledges, respects, and supports core Indigenous values in facilitating the program, including: 

Connection to land

• Language
• Law, lore
• Culture
• Family, community, elders

The facilitator links program objectives to relevant Indigenous concepts. The facilitator builds on these concepts to implement program objectives. These concepts reflect the cultural ideals that Indigenous people have for themselves and include: 

• Responsibility for self, family, and community 
• Linking of support network planning to concepts of family obligations and relationships of responsibility

Miruma 

Miruma is a residential diversionary program in Cessnock for female offenders with mental health and drug and alcohol abuse issues. The 11-bed facility opened in April 2011 and, to end June 2012, has had 53 women commence the program. Of the 53, three women returned for a second time and have now been successful in their return to the community. There has been an approximated 60% success rate for this complex group remaining in the community for two years.

Miruma provides the opportunity for residents who may be experiencing difficulties in adjusting to lawful community life, to gain stability by way of enhanced supervision. This is facilitated by referral to and liaison with various community agencies including drug and alcohol services, residential rehabilitation programs, Centrelink, TAFE NSW and Housing NSW. Promotion of life skills including budgeting, nutrition and general health care are a focus of the program.

Drug Court 

The Drug Court of NSW supervises the intensive community-based rehabilitation of eligible drug-dependent offenders (‘eligible persons’) who would otherwise be sentenced to full-time imprisonment. This is often referred to as the ‘Drug Court program’. The Drug Court program is a joint justice and health intervention aimed at reducing drug dependency, reducing offending, and promoting reintegration into the community. It is proven to be more effective at reducing crime, and the intensive rehabilitation provided costs less than sending people to prison. The Drug Court adopts a multi-disciplinary program delivery model. An interagency team works together under the leadership of the Drug Court Judge to develop, deliver and supervise each participant’s program. The interagency team includes representatives from Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, NSW Police Force, Legal Aid NSW, Community Corrections NSW, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (Justice Health) and the treating Local Health District(s).

Bolwara & Parramatta Transitional Centre

CSNSW manages the Bolwara Transitional Centre at Emu Plains and Parramatta Transitional Centre which provide support for female offenders approaching release from custody.

Bolwara focuses on Aboriginal women and provides support for women who have histories of alcohol and other drugs use.

The Parramatta Transitional Centre supports female inmates serving longer sentences who are also preparing for release.

This transitional support is designed to help the women successfully return to the community and minimise their risk of re-offending.

Balund-a 

The Balund-a Program is an innovative residential diversionary program for male offenders over 18 years of age. Located at Tabulam, within the Bundjalung Nation, the program's aim is to reduce re-offending and enhance skills within a cultural and supportive community environment. The Aboriginal name, Bugilmah Burube Wullinje Balund-a roughly translates as "Be good now you have a second chance down by the river".

Following acceptance into the program offenders participate in structured programs within a culturally sensitive framework. Programs address specific areas of risk to assist on improving life skills and reintegration into the community, for example, cognitive based programs, drug and alcohol, anger management, education and employability, domestic violence, parenting skills and living skills. Cultural activities include excursions to sacred sites, music, dance and art. Elders employed by the program provide support and assist resident to recognise, restore and value cultural links with their land and history.

The property is situated on 534 hectares and also operates as a farming and beef cattle property giving the residents the opportunity to develop agricultural skills. The length of stay at the program varies according to individual needs however a minimum period of 6 months is required.

While a focus of the program is to reduce re-offending, and thereby the incarceration rate of Aboriginal people, the program is available to all within NSW.

Walama List 

The Walama List pilot aims to introduce community involvement into the judge’s sentencing process, build trust in the justice system and improve the diversion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people coming before the court into critical support services that tackle the causes of offending behaviour. ‘Walama’ is a Dharug word that means coming back and in this context it means coming to identity, community, culture and a healthy crime-free life. At the core of the initiative is a proves designed to harnesses the wisdom of Aboriginal Elders and respected community members in sentencing discussions.

The Walama Court Project is an initiative run out of Downing Centre (Sydney) District Court for Aboriginal male and female participants who have pleaded guilty for certain criminal offences at Sydney metropolitan District Courts (Penrith, Campbelltown, Parramatta or Sydney). It aims to: 

• reduce risk factors related to reoffending 
• reduce rate of breaches of court orders
• increase compliance with court orders 
• reduce overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody

This is achieved by enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community participation in court processes and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander narratives in sentencing process. Also, through utilising culturally appropriate programs and supports to address needs and risk factors and facilitating continuous court monitoring of appropriate therapeutic interventions to address identified risks and needs.

Deadly DADS

The Deadly DADS Program was recently developed as a re-design/re-development of the Babiin Miyagang program Aboriginal Mens parenting program. It was recently piloted at Mid North Coast Correctional Centre and it is hoped to be implemented state-wide later this year. It is for Aboriginal Men in custody that are fathers, uncles, grandfather’s and/or carers of child/ren within families and communities. Non-Aboriginal male offenders can also take part in the program if they hold carer responsibilities for Aboriginal child/ren in their families in the community. 

Furthermore, within the new restructure of CSNSW there was an appointed Director of Aboriginal Strategy, which will enhance the cultural lens on all programs provided including AOD programs.