Gaols & Juvenile Detention Centres
Aboriginal language work is supported by the State government as part of a strategic plan that links community language work with language education work in schools, gaols and detention centres, and with appreciation of Aboriginal languages in the wider community (link to pages).
The Language Centre is working with the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to ensure that access to language materials and programs for Aboriginal inmates and detainees is improved.
Access for inmates and detainees to materials about Aboriginal languages are important for a member and reasons:
- There are a disproportionate number of Aboriginal people in gaols and detention centre.
- There is currently a lack of culturally appropriate materially available in most gaols and detention centre.
- There is anecdotal evidence suggests that connecting Aboriginal inmates and detainees with their culture lowers rates of re-offending.
For further information about Aboriginal specific programs within gaols in NSW, please contact this number
Dept of Corrective Services
Aboriginal Support and Planning Unit
Offender Services and Programs
20 Lee Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 8346 1333
dcs@dcs.nsw.gov.au
For further information about Aboriginal specific programs within detention centres in NSW, please contact:
Dept of Juvenile Justice
Aboriginal Unit
Level 24, 477 Pitt Street Sydney, NSW 2000
(PO Box K399, Haymarket 1240)
Tel: (02) 9219 9400
Fax: (02) 9219 9500
TTY: (02) 9219 9579
djj@djj.nsw.gov.au