Released 18/06/2021
Women detainees in the ACT justice system will be better supported through a range of new Government measures.
Minister for Corrections Mick Gentleman said the Government was committed to providing appropriate support for female detainees while in custody.
“Women offenders have often experienced complex trauma and family and sexual violence and may be from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Minister Gentleman said.
“The ACT Government is providing targeted services and support to improve the wellbeing of women in detention, reduce reoffending and help keep our community safe.
“This includes practical solutions such as returning female detainees to the purpose-built Women’s Care Centre accommodation facility.
“We’ve also developed a new Women Offenders Framework to provides staff with best practice principles to better support female detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
“The Framework was developed in consultation with community stakeholders and women with lived experience of the ACT justice system.
“This will support staff to provide a better sentence management service to offenders from the time they enter the system to the end of their sentence.
“The Framework forms part of the transition to an Integrated Offender Management Model for women, which is part of the Government response to a range of review recommendations.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Yvette Berry
“This is an important initiative for the ACT Government to ensure that women are appropriately supported while in custodial settings and also to facilitate their transition to community.
"Given the disproportionate impact of trauma and disadvantage on the lives of female detainees, the development and implementation of the Framework - and broader Integrated Offender Management Model - will enable the provision of more comprehensive and integrated support services to enhance health and social outcomes for women, their families and the broader community.”
The Women Offenders Framework is available here.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases