Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners) Policy 2009
Notifiable instrument NI2009-117
made under the  
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14(1) (Corrections policies and operating procedures) 

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Corrections Management (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners) Policy 2009.
2	Commencement 
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PRISONERS Policy
attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.

James Ryan
Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
     25 March 2009

 Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC)

Aboriginal And Torres Strait 
Islander Prisoners Policy

Purpose
Authority
Policy
Principles
Admission
Sentence Planning Group
Separate confinement and segregation
Accommodation
Recreation, programs, and education
Indigenous meeting place
Medical
Cultural celebrations and activities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training
Forms and templates
Related policies and procedures

Purpose
To outline the policy to ensure the appropriate reception and management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners at the AMC.

Authority
Legislation
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14.

Policy
Principles
It is recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners have particular cultural needs that differ from the wider prisoner population.

ACT Corrective Services is committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) report regarding the safe care and conduct of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in correctional centres. 

Admission
The Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) will see all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners as soon as practicable following admission/ induction.

Sentence Planning Group
The ILO will attend the Sentence Planning Group and Remand Review Team whenever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners are being reviewed. 

Separate confinement and segregation
Particular consideration should be given to the impact of separate confinement and segregation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.

The ILO will be available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners in separate confinement and segregation as required.

Accommodation
In the event that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner is placed in the Crisis Support Unit, the Management Unit, or in the case of female prisoners, the High Needs Cottage, the ILO will be informed.

Recreation, programs, and education
Recreational programs and activities that are culturally appropriate are provided within the activities centre, designated compound areas, and the women’s community centre.

Representatives of community - based organisations may be granted access to the AMC to conduct programs and/or education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.  Prior approval for this must be sought and granted from the Superintendent.

Representatives of community - based organisations granted access to the AMC are subject to policies and procedures relating to entry into the AMC.

Indigenous meeting place
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners of the same gender will be permitted to meet for the purpose of providing communal, cultural and spiritual support.  This will be subject to operational requirements and approval by the Superintendent. 

Medical
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners will have access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services in consultation with Corrections Health.

Cultural celebrations and activities
Several significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural events occur throughout the year. The following events are of cultural significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These events will be held subject to the Superintendent’s agreement to operational requirements: 

•	The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) (July) – NAIDOC Week is a time for observance and to share in the historical and contemporary aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander culture.
•	National Sorry Day (26th May) – ‘The Journey of Healing’ a significant event that marks the Australian Government’s response to the stolen generation, which is in response to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) report the ‘National Enquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander Children.
•	Reconciliation Week (May/June) - National Reconciliation Week offers people across Australia the opportunity to focus on reconciliation, to hear about the culture and history of Australia’s Indigenous people, and to explore new and better ways of meeting challenges in our communities, and to contemplate turning around the continuing disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training
All Corrections Officers will undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training as part of their recruit course.  Follow - up refresher training will be conducted periodically to enhance cross - cultural communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.

Forms and templates
N/A

Related policies and procedures
N/A