Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now we knew that we're going to be catching up
(00:01):
with the Northern Territory Corrections Commissioner Matthew Valley, but he
has also brought into the studio with him as well,
the Assistant Commissioner Kate Charmer. Good morning to you, Kate.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Good morning, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Good to have you on the show. And we've also
got the Manager of Community Corrections Programs, Tam Bryan, Good
morning to you, Tam. And of course the Corrections Mission
Commissioner Matthew Valley, Good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Good Katie. I brought a cast you did.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, no, Look, I think it's really good to have
everybody in the studio this morning because we are going
to find out a bit more about some of the
different rehab programs and different things that are going on.
But Commissioner, I might go to you first. We know
that there has indeed been a new funding announced for
the Department of Corrections, one hundred and twenty six million
dollars this financial year and one hundred and seventy six
(00:49):
as I understand it per year ongoing from twenty six
to twenty seven. Now, can you break that down for
us a little bit in terms of what that's going
to mean for you delivering services within our correctional facilities.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Yeah, Katie, And as your listeners would know, and we've
talked about a lot, the correction system has grown massively
over the last year. We continue to grow. This funding
takes us to be an agency of you know, almost
half a billion dollars, and we're growing to establish you know,
more prison beds, more community corrections programs and rehabilitation programs,
(01:25):
and our education stuff. So you know, this one hundred
and twenty six million dollars backs us in gives us
certainty to grow. It's about addressing some of the funding
shortfalls and cliffs we've had with some lapsing funding to
pay for some of our ongoing programs like BAIO support accommodation.
It also gives us an extra twenty million dollars for
prison healthcare services and extra six million dollars for electronic
(01:49):
monitoring devices, which will grow. And it also backs us
in to help staff things like the new Behrama Correctional Center.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Okay, so in terms of the know the level of
prisoners that we've got though at the moment, those numbers
are continuing to grow, aren't they, Like what are we
sitting at right now?
Speaker 4 (02:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Look today, you know we're twenty I think two have
to start again, Katie, what's today.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Thay, Donny. We're also two.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Eight hundred and twenty two in custody today. I think
there's another thirty or forty in watch houses going to
court this morning, fifty three young people in detention. Those
numbers have, you know, bobbed around the twenty eight hundred
and fifty mark for about a week or two now,
but we are continuing to see that growth. And also
we're continuing to see the growth in the community corrections
(02:36):
cohort as well, people on bail, people on court ordered supervision.
Our electronic numbering numbers are up over I think seven hundred,
So the numbers are continuing to rise. And I think
last time we spoke, you know, we talked about continuing
to build more beds and to build that capacity, so
we're ready for that inflow.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So where are things that really when it comes to
bringing those more beds online? Is that tracking along fairly? Well?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Yeah, it is, and I think we've got design plans.
I met with Infrastructure yesterday. Design plans underway to add
more beds into Barramer Correctional Center. So we're at four
ten there now, I expect to be able to add
a few more temporary beds another couple of hundred I'm
hoping if I need to into Bhima, And we have
(03:25):
also construction works planned out at Holts, so those projects
are underway and I expect to be able to bring
more capacity on in the months as we go through
the next rest of the year.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
I should say now before I head across and find
out a little bit more about some of the programs
and other things that are happening with Kate and Tam,
I do want to ask. Last week on the show,
we learned that a long serving corrections officer had to
have his eye removed after allegedly being attacked with a
set of crutches. Do you know how that office is
doing at the moment?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I do, and I have some good news. I visit
him in hospital on Monday and he's now discharged. He's
out of hospital with some eye care, and the good news,
Katie is he hasn't lost his eye physically. We think
he's lost his sight. Obviously, it's concerning and we're working
with him to support him through that treatment. But he's
(04:20):
got a long road of recovery ahead. Now the doctors
are monitoring his eye closely and we're supporting him as
best we can. But you know, suffice to say, this
is a shocking incident, Katie, and we're really upset about
what's happened and why he's been injured. And of course
there's a couple of investigations that are going on at
the moment, and I don't say too much about those
(04:42):
because police are still doing their investigation. But the good
news is he's out of hospital and he's in recovery.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Commissioner. The union had told us that that worker was
on their own at the time of that incident, which
happened while moving prisoners around, and claimed that inmates aren't
being classify properly, leaving workers vulnerable to attacks like this.
What do you say to that claim from the union.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Well, the first thing I'd say is all of those
issues are being investigated in three different ways, Katie. There's
a police investigation into the offenses that may attach to
that conduct, and that's still to be finalized and potentially
to go to court, so I need to be careful.
The second thing, there's a work safe investigation that they
are conducting into the worker's safety and there's a third
(05:30):
inquiry we've commissioned internally, which will be subject to some external,
independent review, and I'm working through that process at the
moment to look at any other factors and systemic learnings
that we can come from here. So I don't want
to prejudice those inquiries. I want to make sure we
do them thoroughly. I've watched the CCTV myself, and I
can see what happened. But of course there are a
(05:51):
number of factors. This person was in custody for about
a month before the incident, so we're going to go
right back to the start of that custody. Yes, they had, However,
a question becomes we were they classified according to our procedures?
Were they treated appropriately? What was their behavioral management plan?
And those are all the factors that we're going to
(06:12):
methodically work through.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
So in terms of this alleged attacker, are they like
by the sounds of it, There'll be a full police
investigation and they will go back before the courts.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well, obviously that's up to police to collect evidence and
decide whether there is a matter to put before the court.
I don't want to prejudice that decision, but where an
officer is assaulted in the course of their duty. We
refer every one of those cases to police and they
take their action. In this case, obviously, there's a very
serious and grievous injury and that's something the police I
(06:44):
know are taking very seriously. They've interviewed our officer and
they've taken a number of other statements, and of course
that will take its course.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Commissioner, I understand he was preparing to retire. Is that
the case.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
He's been in about thirty years. I spoke to him
the other day and he was in good spirits whether
or not he intends to retire soon. But the message
I gave to David was that, you know, he's still
part of our team and we want him on our team,
and whatever that looks like into the future, will certainly
support him.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Now. Look throughout this week, obviously, as the budget's being
handed down, there's been a lot of discussion about, you know,
where funding allocations are going to go and rehabilitation programs,
you know, whether there are programs underway for those that
are inside our prisons. Now, I'm not sure who's best
to speak to.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Kate.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
We might go to you, Kate Chalmers, who is indeed Chambers,
I should say, who is indeed the Assistant Commissioner, Kate.
Can you talk us through some of the programs that
are underway behind the wire and you know whether there
are adequate rehabilitation programs for prisoners.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Yeah, thanks very much, Katie. So we continue and my team,
specifically the Offender Rehabilitation Team, continue to deliver programs both
in the psycho educational space and the criminogenic space across
our facilities. What I'm really proud of, Katie, is that
we've heard a lot about the pressures that we're experiencing,
but our team continue to be agile and they continue
(08:12):
to find new and innovative ways to deliver programs. And
whether that's going out and delivering programs in sectors, whether
it's changing the way in which we deliver programs, our
team are constantly reviewing and looking for new and innovative ways.
Of course, we deliver the family Violence program and Rage
amongst a whole suite of other programs. I think what's
(08:33):
really important, Katie, is to understand how critical the work
is that all of our team do, and quite often
we talk about you know, custody will have a critical
role to play, as do our teams that don't necessarily
work behind the wire. So we've got program facilitators, We've
got Aboriginal engagement staff, we have got health liaison officers
(08:54):
and a whole raft of other officers and members of
our team. And I think what's really is tomorrow gives
us the opportunity to recognize those people as part of
National Corrections Day.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Well, yeah, of course tomorrow is National Corrections Day and
certainly a day to recognize the incredibly hard work that
all of our correctional staff do in terms of those programs.
And when you look at, you know, recidivism, I guess
when when people do go through those programs within our
correctional facilities, are you finding I mean, do we find
(09:25):
that if they have completed those programs and you know,
without going through each specific one. I guess the biggest
concern from a lot of Territorial's perspectives is that you
want people to when they go to jail, they come
out better people, not better offenders. So do we see
a minimized recidivism rate when people are completing these programs?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yes, O, Katie. I think what's important to remember is
that programs are but one component. Yeah, and we need
to offer a suite of support services both when people
are incarcerated and when they're released from the prison system.
And what our team t do is they deliver programs
whilst they're incarcerated, and then we have through care teams
that look at pre release management and how we connect
(10:09):
people with the community once they're released. And Tam specifically,
you know, works in community corrections. She was a National
Corrections Day Award recipient last year, and you know, that
just goes to show the importance that we place on
the work that we do both in rehabilitation and also
in community corrections and the work they do once our
(10:30):
prisoners are released.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Tam talk us through some of that work that does
happen with community corrections, because I think sometimes people hear
that and they maybe have absolutely no idea what it means.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
So community corrections are a really vital part of the
correction system. We look and engage with people and work
with people as they're going through the justice the first
point end of the justice system, when they're on bail
or when they're going through the court system and preparation
for sentencing, and then we also pick up people who
are sentenced on conditional release from the court, from the prison,
(11:02):
sorry on parole, and also through permit releases, and we
engage so we're at the start of the process and
we're at the end of the process, and we form
that vital connection between all of those key components within
the correctional system that it is. We're an amazing team,
I have to say. We have a very large footprint
across the whole of the territory. Our offices are work
(11:25):
remote and also in urban settings. We've got some amazing
teams and Null and Boy and Groot and whatever down
in the Central Desert region. We've got amazing teams across
the whole of the territory. And these these men and
women go out and just do amazing work with people
in the community to work with them to change what
they are able to change at the time, and with
(11:45):
what we can all do, connecting people again with rehabilitation services,
support services and community reconnecting with family. All the while
they're traversing these conditions imposed by the court or the
parole board, and we're guiding them through the system and
hopefully making some positive change with them on the way.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Tim When you talk about you know what like what
are some of the community corrections programs their prisoners might
be engaged in. I guess for those out there listening,
I mean we've spoken quite a bit about seeing as
having their lawns mode. I know that was like that
was a headline one for us because it was something
that a lot of people felt really passionately that should
(12:25):
be able to continue to happen. But what are some
of those community corrections programs that people might be undertaking.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
So we also alongside the custodial community work teams and
we also have a community work program, so we administer
that and we try we're possible to connect people who
are on community work orders with agencies in community so
that they're making reparation and also learning some key skills
and training and education abilities and things on community work
(12:54):
orders in the community so that they're actually working, living
and working in these positive environments to try and offset
some of those the contributing factors towards their offending behavior.
Community corrections also has key vital links with monitoring people
who are going through the health services, so mental health provisions,
but also alcohol and drug residential rehab AOD, counseling, lots
(13:18):
of other so we tend to facilitate more understanding that
corrections is only in a person's life for a very
short period of time generally, and we understand that there
are vital links that community corrections need to assist people
to re establish and maintain so that they are able
to better grasp those opportunities to change behavior and the
(13:39):
cycles of offending behavior over time. And we work with
people and the organizations that provide that expert care to
enable people to access that and to succeed and going
through this.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
So I guess that could maybe be the difficult part
is sometimes then when people are in that care, you know,
within corrections, but then they actually you know, get released
and step out, and if you don't have those different skills,
those different links, it may be a difficult thing to
be able to, you know, to step out into that
freedom and make sure you doing the right thing.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And I think that's the point, Katie, where most people
think about the prison system, which is very large and complex,
but our community corrections folk and our offender rehabilitation and
engagement folk are really focused on case managing those people
through the system.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
And then beyond.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
And I guess really with National Corrections Day tomorrow. What
I really wanted to explain to territorians is there are
fourteen hundred members of the Department of Corrections getting up
every day, showing up for the territory, working in a
range of complex roles right round this vast place, and
tomorrow is about celebrating their achievements, their contribution to a
(14:48):
safer community, and recognizing some of the remarkable work they do.
And you know, TAM's an example of that where her
team last year were awarded for the BAIO support program
that we run with the SALVA both here in Darwin
and Alice Springs. Hugely successful goes on behind the scenes,
but every day there's about fifty or sixty people in
that customized Salvation Army program helping get their lives back
(15:12):
on track so that they don't end up in jail.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Now, in terms of tomorrow being National Corrections Day, are
there is there anything planned? Do you have any anything
planned for the day?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Yeah, so, Katie, it's been quite a journey getting to tomorrow,
and we have significant plans for both Darwin and Alice Springs,
but most importantly we're recognizing the remote areas of the territory.
There are functions occurring right across the work camps in
Datchla and Berkley. We've got functions occurring in the youth
justice space as well as the adult space in the centers.
(15:45):
And we've got all our staff, whether it be support
staff or operational frontline stuff and the critical specialist roles
as well, all coming to one of those functions.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Well, good stuff, I mean it. For all of you,
What does the day mean to you? What DOESNA Corrections
they mean to you? Because it does seem to me
that you are all incredibly passionate about the work that
you do. When I know that, you know, over recent
months there's been a lot of talk about you know, budgets,
how many prisoners we've got, where the programs are running,
but you all to me seem quite passionate about what
(16:16):
you do. So what does National Corrections they mean to you?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
For me, as someone who's i guess worked through the
system for many years and raised through the ranks of that,
I think it's a really great way to acknowledge, I guess,
the work that the corrections team does and to make
visible the things that are largely unseen and unsung. There's
so much work that Corrections does we tend to be
(16:42):
on the pointy end of media and public opinion, but
there are so many amazing people out there with genuine
intent to do the right things with the people that
come into our care at any given moment in time.
And it is a real privilege to be able to
receive awards and be acknowledged by your peers for the
work that is I guess, the expectation that the community
(17:03):
has and that we all have of each other to
perform every day. It's really nice to receive those accolades.
It doesn't do any harm on the CV either.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Ah, good stuff. Good on your tim, Kate for you.
I mean, it's obviously a really important day.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Yeah, look, I think Katie, that's in amongst all the
chaos and pressures that come with any role, it's really
important that we all come together and celebrate what we
stand for, what our values are, what our culture is,
and how we support each other. And as I say,
we have got a really diverse workforce right across the
territory in my experience, made up of individuals who in
(17:41):
good faith turn up and do the very best job
they can do under some very challenging circumstances. At the moment.
I know that I'm exceptionally proud of my team and
the teams that we work with, not just you know,
the Corrections teams, but our partners right across government and
also non government organizations that we work closely with all
the time, and I should mention that tomorrow we do
(18:02):
recognize those relationships as well. With some of those stakeholders
who attend and received awards.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
We have big shout out, I think as well to
all of those, to everybody within the department, but particularly
you know, those frontline workers working incredibly hard. I know
we get a lot of messages from Corrections staff to
this show. I know plenty of them listen to the show,
and it would be bloody hard work work that a
lot of us simply would not be able to do.
So a big shout out to all of those officers
(18:30):
listening this morning. Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley, thank you very
much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Thanks Katie, and thanks to your listeners for their support
for Corrections. It's been a big year and we've got
another big year ahead tomorrow. If you see a Corrections
staff member, let's say thanks.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Assistant Commissioner Kate Chambers, Thank you so much for your
time this morning, Thanks Katie. And Manager of Community Corrections
Programs Tam Bryant, thank you so much for your time
this morning.
Now we knew that we're going to be catching up
(00:01):
with the Northern Territory Corrections Commissioner Matthew Valley, but he
has also brought into the studio with him as well,
the Assistant Commissioner Kate Charmer. Good morning to you, Kate.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Good morning, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Good to have you on the show. And we've also
got the Manager of Community Corrections Programs, Tam Bryan, Good
morning to you, Tam. And of course the Corrections Mission
Commissioner Matthew Valley, Good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Good Katie. I brought a cast you did.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, no, Look, I think it's really good to have
everybody in the studio this morning because we are going
to find out a bit more about some of the
different rehab programs and different things that are going on.
But Commissioner, I might go to you first. We know
that there has indeed been a new funding announced for
the Department of Corrections, one hundred and twenty six million
dollars this financial year and one hundred and seventy six
(00:49):
as I understand it per year ongoing from twenty six
to twenty seven. Now, can you break that down for
us a little bit in terms of what that's going
to mean for you delivering services within our correctional facilities.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Yeah, Katie, And as your listeners would know, and we've
talked about a lot, the correction system has grown massively
over the last year. We continue to grow. This funding
takes us to be an agency of you know, almost
half a billion dollars, and we're growing to establish you know,
more prison beds, more community corrections programs and rehabilitation programs,
(01:25):
and our education stuff. So you know, this one hundred
and twenty six million dollars backs us in gives us
certainty to grow. It's about addressing some of the funding
shortfalls and cliffs we've had with some lapsing funding to
pay for some of our ongoing programs like BAIO support accommodation.
It also gives us an extra twenty million dollars for
prison healthcare services and extra six million dollars for electronic
(01:49):
monitoring devices, which will grow. And it also backs us
in to help staff things like the new Behrama Correctional Center.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Okay, so in terms of the know the level of
prisoners that we've got though at the moment, those numbers
are continuing to grow, aren't they, Like what are we
sitting at right now?
Speaker 4 (02:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Look today, you know we're twenty I think two have
to start again, Katie, what's today.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Thay, Donny. We're also two.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Eight hundred and twenty two in custody today. I think
there's another thirty or forty in watch houses going to
court this morning, fifty three young people in detention. Those
numbers have, you know, bobbed around the twenty eight hundred
and fifty mark for about a week or two now,
but we are continuing to see that growth. And also
we're continuing to see the growth in the community corrections
(02:36):
cohort as well, people on bail, people on court ordered supervision.
Our electronic numbering numbers are up over I think seven hundred,
So the numbers are continuing to rise. And I think
last time we spoke, you know, we talked about continuing
to build more beds and to build that capacity, so
we're ready for that inflow.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So where are things that really when it comes to
bringing those more beds online? Is that tracking along fairly? Well?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Yeah, it is, and I think we've got design plans.
I met with Infrastructure yesterday. Design plans underway to add
more beds into Barramer Correctional Center. So we're at four
ten there now, I expect to be able to add
a few more temporary beds another couple of hundred I'm
hoping if I need to into Bhima, And we have
(03:25):
also construction works planned out at Holts, so those projects
are underway and I expect to be able to bring
more capacity on in the months as we go through
the next rest of the year.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
I should say now before I head across and find
out a little bit more about some of the programs
and other things that are happening with Kate and Tam,
I do want to ask. Last week on the show,
we learned that a long serving corrections officer had to
have his eye removed after allegedly being attacked with a
set of crutches. Do you know how that office is
doing at the moment?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I do, and I have some good news. I visit
him in hospital on Monday and he's now discharged. He's
out of hospital with some eye care, and the good news,
Katie is he hasn't lost his eye physically. We think
he's lost his sight. Obviously, it's concerning and we're working
with him to support him through that treatment. But he's
(04:20):
got a long road of recovery ahead. Now the doctors
are monitoring his eye closely and we're supporting him as
best we can. But you know, suffice to say, this
is a shocking incident, Katie, and we're really upset about
what's happened and why he's been injured. And of course
there's a couple of investigations that are going on at
the moment, and I don't say too much about those
(04:42):
because police are still doing their investigation. But the good
news is he's out of hospital and he's in recovery.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Commissioner. The union had told us that that worker was
on their own at the time of that incident, which
happened while moving prisoners around, and claimed that inmates aren't
being classify properly, leaving workers vulnerable to attacks like this.
What do you say to that claim from the union.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Well, the first thing I'd say is all of those
issues are being investigated in three different ways, Katie. There's
a police investigation into the offenses that may attach to
that conduct, and that's still to be finalized and potentially
to go to court, so I need to be careful.
The second thing, there's a work safe investigation that they
are conducting into the worker's safety and there's a third
(05:30):
inquiry we've commissioned internally, which will be subject to some external,
independent review, and I'm working through that process at the
moment to look at any other factors and systemic learnings
that we can come from here. So I don't want
to prejudice those inquiries. I want to make sure we
do them thoroughly. I've watched the CCTV myself, and I
can see what happened. But of course there are a
(05:51):
number of factors. This person was in custody for about
a month before the incident, so we're going to go
right back to the start of that custody. Yes, they had, However,
a question becomes we were they classified according to our procedures?
Were they treated appropriately? What was their behavioral management plan?
And those are all the factors that we're going to
(06:12):
methodically work through.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
So in terms of this alleged attacker, are they like
by the sounds of it, There'll be a full police
investigation and they will go back before the courts.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well, obviously that's up to police to collect evidence and
decide whether there is a matter to put before the court.
I don't want to prejudice that decision, but where an
officer is assaulted in the course of their duty. We
refer every one of those cases to police and they
take their action. In this case, obviously, there's a very
serious and grievous injury and that's something the police I
(06:44):
know are taking very seriously. They've interviewed our officer and
they've taken a number of other statements, and of course
that will take its course.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Commissioner, I understand he was preparing to retire. Is that
the case.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
He's been in about thirty years. I spoke to him
the other day and he was in good spirits whether
or not he intends to retire soon. But the message
I gave to David was that, you know, he's still
part of our team and we want him on our team,
and whatever that looks like into the future, will certainly
support him.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Now. Look throughout this week, obviously, as the budget's being
handed down, there's been a lot of discussion about, you know,
where funding allocations are going to go and rehabilitation programs,
you know, whether there are programs underway for those that
are inside our prisons. Now, I'm not sure who's best
to speak to.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Kate.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
We might go to you, Kate Chalmers, who is indeed Chambers,
I should say, who is indeed the Assistant Commissioner, Kate.
Can you talk us through some of the programs that
are underway behind the wire and you know whether there
are adequate rehabilitation programs for prisoners.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Yeah, thanks very much, Katie. So we continue and my team,
specifically the Offender Rehabilitation Team, continue to deliver programs both
in the psycho educational space and the criminogenic space across
our facilities. What I'm really proud of, Katie, is that
we've heard a lot about the pressures that we're experiencing,
but our team continue to be agile and they continue
(08:12):
to find new and innovative ways to deliver programs. And
whether that's going out and delivering programs in sectors, whether
it's changing the way in which we deliver programs, our
team are constantly reviewing and looking for new and innovative ways.
Of course, we deliver the family Violence program and Rage
amongst a whole suite of other programs. I think what's
(08:33):
really important, Katie, is to understand how critical the work
is that all of our team do, and quite often
we talk about you know, custody will have a critical
role to play, as do our teams that don't necessarily
work behind the wire. So we've got program facilitators, We've
got Aboriginal engagement staff, we have got health liaison officers
(08:54):
and a whole raft of other officers and members of
our team. And I think what's really is tomorrow gives
us the opportunity to recognize those people as part of
National Corrections Day.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Well, yeah, of course tomorrow is National Corrections Day and
certainly a day to recognize the incredibly hard work that
all of our correctional staff do in terms of those programs.
And when you look at, you know, recidivism, I guess
when when people do go through those programs within our
correctional facilities, are you finding I mean, do we find
(09:25):
that if they have completed those programs and you know,
without going through each specific one. I guess the biggest
concern from a lot of Territorial's perspectives is that you
want people to when they go to jail, they come
out better people, not better offenders. So do we see
a minimized recidivism rate when people are completing these programs?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yes, O, Katie. I think what's important to remember is
that programs are but one component. Yeah, and we need
to offer a suite of support services both when people
are incarcerated and when they're released from the prison system.
And what our team t do is they deliver programs
whilst they're incarcerated, and then we have through care teams
that look at pre release management and how we connect
(10:09):
people with the community once they're released. And Tam specifically,
you know, works in community corrections. She was a National
Corrections Day Award recipient last year, and you know, that
just goes to show the importance that we place on
the work that we do both in rehabilitation and also
in community corrections and the work they do once our
(10:30):
prisoners are released.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Tam talk us through some of that work that does
happen with community corrections, because I think sometimes people hear
that and they maybe have absolutely no idea what it means.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
So community corrections are a really vital part of the
correction system. We look and engage with people and work
with people as they're going through the justice the first
point end of the justice system, when they're on bail
or when they're going through the court system and preparation
for sentencing, and then we also pick up people who
are sentenced on conditional release from the court, from the prison,
(11:02):
sorry on parole, and also through permit releases, and we
engage so we're at the start of the process and
we're at the end of the process, and we form
that vital connection between all of those key components within
the correctional system that it is. We're an amazing team,
I have to say. We have a very large footprint
across the whole of the territory. Our offices are work
(11:25):
remote and also in urban settings. We've got some amazing
teams and Null and Boy and Groot and whatever down
in the Central Desert region. We've got amazing teams across
the whole of the territory. And these these men and
women go out and just do amazing work with people
in the community to work with them to change what
they are able to change at the time, and with
(11:45):
what we can all do, connecting people again with rehabilitation services,
support services and community reconnecting with family. All the while
they're traversing these conditions imposed by the court or the
parole board, and we're guiding them through the system and
hopefully making some positive change with them on the way.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Tim When you talk about you know what like what
are some of the community corrections programs their prisoners might
be engaged in. I guess for those out there listening,
I mean we've spoken quite a bit about seeing as
having their lawns mode. I know that was like that
was a headline one for us because it was something
that a lot of people felt really passionately that should
(12:25):
be able to continue to happen. But what are some
of those community corrections programs that people might be undertaking.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
So we also alongside the custodial community work teams and
we also have a community work program, so we administer
that and we try we're possible to connect people who
are on community work orders with agencies in community so
that they're making reparation and also learning some key skills
and training and education abilities and things on community work
(12:54):
orders in the community so that they're actually working, living
and working in these positive environments to try and offset
some of those the contributing factors towards their offending behavior.
Community corrections also has key vital links with monitoring people
who are going through the health services, so mental health provisions,
but also alcohol and drug residential rehab AOD, counseling, lots
(13:18):
of other so we tend to facilitate more understanding that
corrections is only in a person's life for a very
short period of time generally, and we understand that there
are vital links that community corrections need to assist people
to re establish and maintain so that they are able
to better grasp those opportunities to change behavior and the
(13:39):
cycles of offending behavior over time. And we work with
people and the organizations that provide that expert care to
enable people to access that and to succeed and going
through this.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
So I guess that could maybe be the difficult part
is sometimes then when people are in that care, you know,
within corrections, but then they actually you know, get released
and step out, and if you don't have those different skills,
those different links, it may be a difficult thing to
be able to, you know, to step out into that
freedom and make sure you doing the right thing.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And I think that's the point, Katie, where most people
think about the prison system, which is very large and complex,
but our community corrections folk and our offender rehabilitation and
engagement folk are really focused on case managing those people
through the system.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
And then beyond.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
And I guess really with National Corrections Day tomorrow. What
I really wanted to explain to territorians is there are
fourteen hundred members of the Department of Corrections getting up
every day, showing up for the territory, working in a
range of complex roles right round this vast place, and
tomorrow is about celebrating their achievements, their contribution to a
(14:48):
safer community, and recognizing some of the remarkable work they do.
And you know, TAM's an example of that where her
team last year were awarded for the BAIO support program
that we run with the SALVA both here in Darwin
and Alice Springs. Hugely successful goes on behind the scenes,
but every day there's about fifty or sixty people in
that customized Salvation Army program helping get their lives back
(15:12):
on track so that they don't end up in jail.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Now, in terms of tomorrow being National Corrections Day, are
there is there anything planned? Do you have any anything
planned for the day?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Yeah, so, Katie, it's been quite a journey getting to tomorrow,
and we have significant plans for both Darwin and Alice Springs,
but most importantly we're recognizing the remote areas of the territory.
There are functions occurring right across the work camps in
Datchla and Berkley. We've got functions occurring in the youth
justice space as well as the adult space in the centers.
(15:45):
And we've got all our staff, whether it be support
staff or operational frontline stuff and the critical specialist roles
as well, all coming to one of those functions.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Well, good stuff, I mean it. For all of you,
What does the day mean to you? What DOESNA Corrections
they mean to you? Because it does seem to me
that you are all incredibly passionate about the work that
you do. When I know that, you know, over recent
months there's been a lot of talk about you know, budgets,
how many prisoners we've got, where the programs are running,
but you all to me seem quite passionate about what
(16:16):
you do. So what does National Corrections they mean to you?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
For me, as someone who's i guess worked through the
system for many years and raised through the ranks of that,
I think it's a really great way to acknowledge, I guess,
the work that the corrections team does and to make
visible the things that are largely unseen and unsung. There's
so much work that Corrections does we tend to be
(16:42):
on the pointy end of media and public opinion, but
there are so many amazing people out there with genuine
intent to do the right things with the people that
come into our care at any given moment in time.
And it is a real privilege to be able to
receive awards and be acknowledged by your peers for the
work that is I guess, the expectation that the community
(17:03):
has and that we all have of each other to
perform every day. It's really nice to receive those accolades.
It doesn't do any harm on the CV either.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Ah, good stuff. Good on your tim, Kate for you.
I mean, it's obviously a really important day.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Yeah, look, I think Katie, that's in amongst all the
chaos and pressures that come with any role, it's really
important that we all come together and celebrate what we
stand for, what our values are, what our culture is,
and how we support each other. And as I say,
we have got a really diverse workforce right across the
territory in my experience, made up of individuals who in
(17:41):
good faith turn up and do the very best job
they can do under some very challenging circumstances. At the moment.
I know that I'm exceptionally proud of my team and
the teams that we work with, not just you know,
the Corrections teams, but our partners right across government and
also non government organizations that we work closely with all
the time, and I should mention that tomorrow we do
(18:02):
recognize those relationships as well. With some of those stakeholders
who attend and received awards.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
We have big shout out, I think as well to
all of those, to everybody within the department, but particularly
you know, those frontline workers working incredibly hard. I know
we get a lot of messages from Corrections staff to
this show. I know plenty of them listen to the show,
and it would be bloody hard work work that a
lot of us simply would not be able to do.
So a big shout out to all of those officers
(18:30):
listening this morning. Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley, thank you very
much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Thanks Katie, and thanks to your listeners for their support
for Corrections. It's been a big year and we've got
another big year ahead tomorrow. If you see a Corrections
staff member, let's say thanks.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Assistant Commissioner Kate Chambers, Thank you so much for your
time this morning, Thanks Katie. And Manager of Community Corrections
Programs Tam Bryant, thank you so much for your time
this morning.
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