South Australian Government Overarching Indigenous Justice Strategic Policy Framework

Aboriginal Justice Strategic Directions 2004-2006

The Aboriginal Justice Strategic Directions 2004-2006 provided a framework to ensure that justice agencies, Aboriginal communities and other Government agencies work collaboratively to address Indigenous overrepresentation. It was informed by the Justice Portfolio's Reconciliation Statement (2002) and the Partnering Agreement, and was directed towards ensuring agencies develop culturally appropriate strategies in partnership with Aboriginal families and communities to reduce overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in the juvenile justice system, inter alia. This framework was not revisited after 2006. 

Three broad strategic directions (with specific key focus areas supported by a range of programs, activities and services) were identified within the document.  The most relevant directions are ‘Working in partnership to develop a culturally responsive criminal justice system' and ‘Preventing entry and re-entry into the justice system'. The overall objective of ‘Working in partnership' is to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities to improve justice agencies' understanding of and respect for the significance of Aboriginal history, culture, languages, and experiences, and provide a more responsive justice system.  The key focus areasfor the ‘Working in partnership' direction include the following:

• improving access to bail and enhancing the understanding of court processes and sentencing outcomes;
• promoting health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in prison and post-release
• establishing rehabilitation programs to specifically address the needs of Aboriginal people; and
• continuing to develop more culturally inclusive dispute resolution and court processes (including for youth).

For ‘Preventing entry and re-entry into the justice system', the overall objective includes the goal of increasing access to diversion programs and legal services.  Key focus areas include increasing access to diversionary programs within and beyond the justice system to support Aboriginal people and to prevent re-entry.

NB: The Justice Portfolio is currently developing an Aboriginal Justice Action Plan (date of completion not provided).

Department for Correctional Services - Declaration of Reconciliation (2001)

In their Declaration of Reconciliation, Correctional Services commits to improving the health and well being of Aboriginal people whose lives are touched by the criminal justice system.  There is an undertaking to provide, as far as possible, services and support which recognise the diverse cultural needs of, and address the accumulated trauma suffered by, Aboriginal people.  More specifically, there is a commitment to the following:

• reducing the disproportionate number of Aboriginal people on remand and in prison
• embodying the substance and spirit of the RCIADIC
• increasing Aboriginal employment within the Department
• consulting with Aboriginal people within the Department and communities to ensure that their needs and aspirations are explicitly reflected in service planning and delivery
• providing leadership and training to eliminate racism in the workplace
• increasing knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal heritage and contemporary culture amongst Departmental staff. (1)

Department for Correctional Services - Aboriginal Services Unit Business Plan 2006-2007

The Department for Correctional Services' Aboriginal Services Unit has produced a Business Plan, setting out four specific goals for 2006-2007.  Those goals, with relevant strategies and tasks, ‘deliverables/milestones', and listing of officer responsible for corporate reporting, are as follows:

Progress Throughcare

• contribute to homelessness initiatives, including through provision of ALO services if required, and through improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal prisoners and offenders.
• contribution to the Chronic Young Offenders Project (Breaking the Cycle) through provision of advice and consultancy
• monitoring implementation of the RCIADIC recommendations through an audit of relevant institutions, and through delivery of regular forums about these recommendations in South Australia

Effective delivery of custodial services

• maintain prisoner art and music programs with a focus on incorporating them into rehabilitation programs
• formalise the involvement of ALOs in induction screening process
• progress implementation of outstanding RCIADIC recommendations

Effective delivery of community based services

• develop outreach services to Aboriginal communities, including allied community based agencies, and utilise a multi-disciplinary approach to issues

Aboriginal Workers in the Criminal Justice System - An Information Resource (2)

Aboriginal Workers in the Criminal Justice System - An Information Resource
was prepared by the Department for Correctional Services (n.d?) , providing details of Aboriginal people and agencies working within the criminal justice system (including Aboriginal contacts within Correctional Services, Court Administration Authority, Police, and legal services, for example).