A family counselling pilot will be established at the Alexander Maconochie Centre to help improve the wellbeing of detainees and their loved ones.
ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury announced the pilot, which is one of several new projects supporting vulnerable people who interact with the ACT Justice system.
The family counselling pilot will establish a family counsellor at the AMC, who can provide personalised support to detainees, enhancing their communication skills, building resilience and providing strategies to build relationships or resolve any conflicts that may exist with their families.
Other projects include:
- improved access to the ACT Courts for First Nations people in the Jervis Bay Territory, and
- continued work on the implementation of electronic monitoring.
The projects are sharing funding of $275,000 allocated from the Confiscated Assets Trust (CAT).
CAT funding redirects proceeds of criminal activity into projects for healing, growth and a more equitable legal system.
Attorney-General Rattenbury said the projects will help address the diverse needs of individuals at different stages of their interaction with the justice system.
“The pilot aims to foster rehabilitation, to help address systemic challenges that contribute to people’s offending, and through that to create stronger communities and break cycles of recidivism.
“This investment also underscores our commitment to ensuring everyone in our community has equitable access to legal services and support,” said the Attorney-General.
Minister for Corrections and Justice Health Emma Davidson welcomed the investment, saying it will keep families better connected and support people to make safer choices once they return home.
“Our support networks play an important role to keep us connected, kind and caring. For people in AMC, connection with loved ones supports their rehabilitative journey and return to the community,” Minister Davidson said.
“Family counselling services at the AMC will help people build stronger bonds with their loved ones that can ultimately reduce harmful behaviours, create healthier families and deliver safer communities.”