Department of Justice WA

Football stars get prisoners in the game

Star AFL and AFLW Fremantle Dockers have been sharing the values of teamwork with people in care at WA Prisons.

As the AFL Dockers held a signing session and had a kick with prisoners at Wooroloo Prison Farm, the AFLW team got to see what the people in care at Melaleuca Women’s Prison had learned from their regular footy clinic visits, at a match between prison teams Deadly Divas and Djookanka (Sisters).

A meeting of minds - the link between Aboriginal knowledge and Western science.

Prisoners have had the opportunity to explore the connection between cultural knowledge and Western science, guided by scientists from Curtin University.

One of the sessions at Bandyup Women’s Prison looked at the contribution of native animals to sustainability, and how that’s explained in Traditional stories and modern science.

The aim of the sessions is to inspire prisoners to continue their education after they are released.

Taking training to the next level.

For the first time at Banksia Hill Detention Centre a group of young people have received specialised onsite construction training thanks to an initiative that brings the practical, hands-on experience to them.

The pilot program is run by Yalagan Registered Training - YRT, allowing the young people use of its mobile training trailer to gain new skills and qualifications that will make them worksite-ready for a job in construction and help them build a better future for themselves.

HEALING ON THE HILL

Young people and staff at Banksia Hill Detention Centre have been working hard to create a safe cultural space on top of a hill in the facility’s bushland.

MOORDIDJABINY KAATUP, which means “The Place of Becoming Strong on the Hill”, is a ceremonial site where the young people can go to reflect, yarn and heal, or meet with Elders for guidance and counselling.

Footy stars share NAIDOC message

AFL and AFLW players from the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles have teamed up to keep the fire burning while visiting Wooroloo, Melaleuca and Casuarina prisons for NAIDOC Week.

Hear the message from Freo Dockers Conrad Williams, Michael Frederick, Madeleine Scanlon and Mikayla Morrison, and West Coast Eagles Jamaine Jones and Liam Ryan.

You can read more about how the footballer’s helped prisoners mark NAIDOC Week here:

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/football-stars-team-prisoners-naidoc-week

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Calling change-makers!

Are you dedicated and keen to guide the futures of young people in detention?

We’re currently recruiting Youth Custodial Officers.

YCOs play an integral role in ensuring safety and security at Banksia Hill.

Officers must model behaviours to support and mentor detainees from various cultural backgrounds.

The Department values a diverse workforce and importantly, the contributions of Aboriginal staff.

Successful applicants are paid to train and graduate with a nationally recognised Certificate III in Correctional Practice (Youth Custodial) qualification.

Training salary is $79,156pa. Upon commencement, the shift salary increases to $79,156 - $84,977pa + 19% Commuted Allowance (approx.. $15,000pa) for shift work.

Youth Custodial Officers are generally rostered ten 12-hour shifts over a 21-day cycle - that’s 11 days off!

Watch the video to hear from current team members and learn more.

Sporting mentors coach young people at Unit 18.

The Department of Justice has teamed up with the Stephen Michael Foundation and hosted veteran footballer and coach Tony Micale to mentor young people at Unit 18.

Tony Micale played for South Fremantle and East Fremantle and served as assistant coach at the West Coast Eagles during their 2006 Premiership win.

Having role models like Tony Micale visit Unit 18 to deliver a recreation program enhances detainees’ physical and mental health, as well as their rehabilitation prospects.

“It’s all about building relationships and it’s terrific to see these young people seeking our advice,” Tony said.

“We encourage them to embrace positive behaviours for the future.”

Career change?

We’re looking for people from Kalgoorlie-Boulder keen to make a difference in their local community.

Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison is seeking Prison Officers.

The job comes with an attractive salary and benefits package.

You’ll be paid to train in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Prison Officers are generally rostered 10 shifts in a 21-day cycle – that’s 11 days off!

Find out more here: justice.wa.gov.au/prisonjobs

Watch the video hear from staff, who say becoming a Prison Officer has been a terrific career choice for them and their families.

Breaking new ground

The first graduates of a construction skills training program at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, funded by the Waalitj foundation, have received their Certificate II in Civil Construction.

The young people, now job-ready, used the hands-on training to renovate and improve the centre’s visiting area – and earn their 16-unit qualification in the process.

Art therapy 🎨 ⚫ 🟡 🔴

Young people at Unit 18 have helped to transform the centre's psychology room with a bright and meaningful mural.

Guided by artist Jungari (Aaron from Self Made Indigenous Corporation), detainees left handprints in the art, demonstrating their connection to culture.

Aaron says the floor-to-ceiling mural reflects the various landscapes of WA and showcases some of the customs at the heart of the world’s oldest surviving culture.

He says at first, young people felt nervous to take on such a large painting project, but it helped deliver an important message; that when people work together, good things can happen.

The psychology room is a space for young people to talk about how they feel or what they’re processing, and the Deadly Minds art therapy program is another way to support vulnerable young people in custody.

We recently featured a Ngaanyatjarra artist, in the care of Bandyup Women’s Prison, making the first brushstrokes of her painting ‘The Fire’.

Now completed, a giant reproduction of the artwork has been installed in the foyer of the David Malcolm Justice Centre to commemorate NAIDOC Week.

The self-taught artist says the painting shows ashes rising from a burning bushfire.

This is her story, in her words….

Teaching Tool.

For NAIDOC Week 2024, prisoners at Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison (EGRP) have been busy making boomerangs for more than two-thousand Kalgoorlie-Boulder school students to decorate.

The boomerangs are cut from sheets of MDF in the prison workshop and sanded smooth.

EGRP staff then deliver these blank canvases to the schools for the students to paint as they learn about Indigenous Culture.

Some of the decorated boomerangs have come back to EGRP where they have been given pride of place in the workshop.

Thanks to students and staff at O’Connor Primary School for doing such a great job this year!

NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and gives all Australians an opportunity to learn about the oldest living culture on earth.

Are you ready to help shape the future?

Our newly graduated Youth Custodial Officers come from all walks of life.

From FIFO mechanics to academics, we ensure our staff represent the diversity of the WA community, giving our young people in custody the best possible chance of rehabilitation.

YCOs are paid to train, salary during the Entry Level Training Program is $79,156pa.

That salary increases to $79,156 - $84,977pa upon commencement at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, with an additional allowance of approximately $15,000pa for shift work.

Youth Custodial Officers are responsible for the safety, security, care and wellbeing of young people in detention.

As a YCO, you’ll generally be rostered ten 12-hours shifts over a 21-day cycle – that’s 11 days off and an alternative to FIFO!

Watch the video to hear from some of our recent graduates, who all leave the Academy with a nationally recognised Cert. III in Correctional Practice (Youth Custodial) qualification.

Visit the job link to find out more: www.justice.wa.gov.au/yco

Hip Hop artist Rush Wepiha is one of four mentors delivering music as therapy inside WA’s Unit 18 youth detention centre.

Writing lyrics and recording beats form part of the lessons, delivered in a rustic studio space built by young people.

The Unit 18 program is an extension of Banksia Beats, a long-running program at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, delivered by founder and coordinator Optamus (Scott Griffiths), fellow rappers Flewnt (Josh Eggington), Rush (Te Hiiritanga Wepiha) and producer Ray Tanielu.

Hip Hop is among an expanded suite of artistic, cultural, and recreational programs the Department of Justice is providing seven days a week to help support and rehabilitate vulnerable detainees.

When Roebourne Regional Prison recently closed their kitchen for renovations, prisoners and staff at Karnet Prison Farm came to the rescue, cooking up a storm!

They made two tonnes of cooked food from the fresh produce grown on the farm.

Karnet provides almost 20 million dollars worth of milk, meat and eggs as well as most of the fruit, vegetables and honey to all of WA’s prison kitchens.

Congrats to WA talents Flewnt and his 11-year-old son Inkabee for this stellar performance aired on America’s Got Talent! 👏

Flewnt is one of four mentors who teach Hip Hop to young people at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and Unit 18.

In December, the father and son duo performed inside Banksia Hill to celebrate the release of a music album compiled by detainees.

Visit comments to watch that performance! 👀 🎤👇

Mentor numbers and mentor visiting hours have increased at Unit 18.

Centrecare Inc has doubled the number of mentors working at Unit 18 this year and its team now visits seven days a week, rather than Monday to Friday previously.

Mentors also attend from Self Made Indigenous Corporation, Stephen Michael Foundation and Hope Community Services.

These teams provide one-on-one support to young people to improve engagement in education, programs, recreation and to support their emotional wellbeing.

On top of a new classroom opening up, it’s another way the Department’s expanding support services for vulnerable young people in detention.

We are looking for Aboriginal people to join a new reference group to give cultural advice and guidance to the Dandjoo Bidi-Ak Court.

Dandjoo Bidi-Ak, which means “Together On A Path”, is a specialist, therapeutic Child Protection And Care Court that provides a culturally safe space for families.

We want to hear your views on justice matters affecting Aboriginal families attending the court, as well as family violence issues in Aboriginal Communities.

Applications for the paid position close July 12th.

If you’d like to apply, or find out more, visit www.justice.wa.gov.au/dbak

Prisoners and staff at Melaleuca are breathing easier, after the Women’s Prison became the latest custodial facility to go Smoke-Free.

Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women, Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison, and the Training Academy all successfully went smoke-free earlier this year, and Bandyup Women’s Prison in late 2022. This is the latest step in the phasing out of smoking across Western Australia’s custodial facilities.

The Department works with the Cancer Council Western Australia and the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, to educate prisoners and staff on the health and financial benefits of quitting ni****ne for good.

We were also grateful for the ongoing support of Fremantle Dockers, who showed the women how to replace smoking with healthy choices to kick the habit.

A group of prisoners at Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women has graduated from a three week concreting course and several of them have already received job offers.

Businesses say they need more people with these skills and women would bring more diversity into the industry.

The concreting course is run in partnership with Workskils and Carey Training WA.

Two Labrador puppies are now calling Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women home under a new partnership with Guide Dogs WA.

Selected prisoners who’ve been trained as puppy handlers will teach the young dogs basic obedience and socialisation over the next 14 months.

The women pick up skills which can help with their rehabilitation while also providing a service which contributes to the community.