1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,600 Speaker 1: Now we knew that we're going to be catching up 2 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: with the Northern Territory Corrections Commissioner Matthew Valley, but he 3 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: has also brought into the studio with him as well, 4 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:12,960 Speaker 1: the Assistant Commissioner Kate Charmer. Good morning to you, Kate. 5 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie. 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Good to have you on the show. And we've also 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: got the Manager of Community Corrections Programs, Tam Bryan, Good 8 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: morning to you, Tam. And of course the Corrections Mission 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,600 Speaker 1: Commissioner Matthew Valley, Good morning. 10 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 3: Good Katie. I brought a cast you did. 11 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, no, Look, I think it's really good to have 12 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: everybody in the studio this morning because we are going 13 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: to find out a bit more about some of the 14 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,919 Speaker 1: different rehab programs and different things that are going on. 15 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 1: But Commissioner, I might go to you first. We know 16 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: that there has indeed been a new funding announced for 17 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 1: the Department of Corrections, one hundred and twenty six million 18 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:48,600 Speaker 1: dollars this financial year and one hundred and seventy six 19 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: as I understand it per year ongoing from twenty six 20 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: to twenty seven. Now, can you break that down for 21 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 1: us a little bit in terms of what that's going 22 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: to mean for you delivering services within our correctional facilities. 23 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, Katie, And as your listeners would know, and we've 24 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 3: talked about a lot, the correction system has grown massively 25 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 3: over the last year. We continue to grow. This funding 26 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:15,120 Speaker 3: takes us to be an agency of you know, almost 27 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 3: half a billion dollars, and we're growing to establish you know, 28 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:24,559 Speaker 3: more prison beds, more community corrections programs and rehabilitation programs, 29 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 3: and our education stuff. So you know, this one hundred 30 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 3: and twenty six million dollars backs us in gives us 31 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 3: certainty to grow. It's about addressing some of the funding 32 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,120 Speaker 3: shortfalls and cliffs we've had with some lapsing funding to 33 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 3: pay for some of our ongoing programs like BAIO support accommodation. 34 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 3: It also gives us an extra twenty million dollars for 35 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 3: prison healthcare services and extra six million dollars for electronic 36 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 3: monitoring devices, which will grow. And it also backs us 37 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 3: in to help staff things like the new Behrama Correctional Center. 38 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 1: Okay, so in terms of the know the level of 39 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 1: prisoners that we've got though at the moment, those numbers 40 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 1: are continuing to grow, aren't they, Like what are we 41 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: sitting at right now? 42 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 4: Yeah. 43 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:09,079 Speaker 3: Look today, you know we're twenty I think two have 44 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 3: to start again, Katie, what's today. 45 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 1: Thay, Donny. We're also two. 46 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 3: Eight hundred and twenty two in custody today. I think 47 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 3: there's another thirty or forty in watch houses going to 48 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 3: court this morning, fifty three young people in detention. Those 49 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 3: numbers have, you know, bobbed around the twenty eight hundred 50 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 3: and fifty mark for about a week or two now, 51 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 3: but we are continuing to see that growth. And also 52 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 3: we're continuing to see the growth in the community corrections 53 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 3: cohort as well, people on bail, people on court ordered supervision. 54 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,800 Speaker 3: Our electronic numbering numbers are up over I think seven hundred, 55 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 3: So the numbers are continuing to rise. And I think 56 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 3: last time we spoke, you know, we talked about continuing 57 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 3: to build more beds and to build that capacity, so 58 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 3: we're ready for that inflow. 59 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: So where are things that really when it comes to 60 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: bringing those more beds online? Is that tracking along fairly? Well? 61 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is, and I think we've got design plans. 62 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 3: I met with Infrastructure yesterday. Design plans underway to add 63 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 3: more beds into Barramer Correctional Center. So we're at four 64 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 3: ten there now, I expect to be able to add 65 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 3: a few more temporary beds another couple of hundred I'm 66 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 3: hoping if I need to into Bhima, And we have 67 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 3: also construction works planned out at Holts, so those projects 68 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,959 Speaker 3: are underway and I expect to be able to bring 69 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 3: more capacity on in the months as we go through 70 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 3: the next rest of the year. 71 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: I should say now before I head across and find 72 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: out a little bit more about some of the programs 73 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 1: and other things that are happening with Kate and Tam, 74 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: I do want to ask. Last week on the show, 75 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: we learned that a long serving corrections officer had to 76 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 1: have his eye removed after allegedly being attacked with a 77 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: set of crutches. Do you know how that office is 78 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: doing at the moment? 79 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 3: I do, and I have some good news. I visit 80 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 3: him in hospital on Monday and he's now discharged. He's 81 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 3: out of hospital with some eye care, and the good news, 82 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 3: Katie is he hasn't lost his eye physically. We think 83 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 3: he's lost his sight. Obviously, it's concerning and we're working 84 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 3: with him to support him through that treatment. But he's 85 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,359 Speaker 3: got a long road of recovery ahead. Now the doctors 86 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 3: are monitoring his eye closely and we're supporting him as 87 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 3: best we can. But you know, suffice to say, this 88 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 3: is a shocking incident, Katie, and we're really upset about 89 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 3: what's happened and why he's been injured. And of course 90 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 3: there's a couple of investigations that are going on at 91 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 3: the moment, and I don't say too much about those 92 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 3: because police are still doing their investigation. But the good 93 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 3: news is he's out of hospital and he's in recovery. 94 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 1: Commissioner. The union had told us that that worker was 95 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 1: on their own at the time of that incident, which 96 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 1: happened while moving prisoners around, and claimed that inmates aren't 97 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: being classify properly, leaving workers vulnerable to attacks like this. 98 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 1: What do you say to that claim from the union. 99 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,039 Speaker 3: Well, the first thing I'd say is all of those 100 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 3: issues are being investigated in three different ways, Katie. There's 101 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 3: a police investigation into the offenses that may attach to 102 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 3: that conduct, and that's still to be finalized and potentially 103 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 3: to go to court, so I need to be careful. 104 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 3: The second thing, there's a work safe investigation that they 105 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 3: are conducting into the worker's safety and there's a third 106 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 3: inquiry we've commissioned internally, which will be subject to some external, 107 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 3: independent review, and I'm working through that process at the 108 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 3: moment to look at any other factors and systemic learnings 109 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 3: that we can come from here. So I don't want 110 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 3: to prejudice those inquiries. I want to make sure we 111 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 3: do them thoroughly. I've watched the CCTV myself, and I 112 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 3: can see what happened. But of course there are a 113 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 3: number of factors. This person was in custody for about 114 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 3: a month before the incident, so we're going to go 115 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 3: right back to the start of that custody. Yes, they had, However, 116 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 3: a question becomes we were they classified according to our procedures? 117 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 3: Were they treated appropriately? What was their behavioral management plan? 118 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:12,359 Speaker 3: And those are all the factors that we're going to 119 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 3: methodically work through. 120 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: So in terms of this alleged attacker, are they like 121 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,159 Speaker 1: by the sounds of it, There'll be a full police 122 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,840 Speaker 1: investigation and they will go back before the courts. 123 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 3: Well, obviously that's up to police to collect evidence and 124 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 3: decide whether there is a matter to put before the court. 125 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 3: I don't want to prejudice that decision, but where an 126 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 3: officer is assaulted in the course of their duty. We 127 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 3: refer every one of those cases to police and they 128 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,920 Speaker 3: take their action. In this case, obviously, there's a very 129 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 3: serious and grievous injury and that's something the police I 130 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 3: know are taking very seriously. They've interviewed our officer and 131 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 3: they've taken a number of other statements, and of course 132 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 3: that will take its course. 133 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: Commissioner, I understand he was preparing to retire. Is that 134 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: the case. 135 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 3: He's been in about thirty years. I spoke to him 136 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 3: the other day and he was in good spirits whether 137 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 3: or not he intends to retire soon. But the message 138 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 3: I gave to David was that, you know, he's still 139 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 3: part of our team and we want him on our team, 140 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 3: and whatever that looks like into the future, will certainly 141 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 3: support him. 142 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: Now. Look throughout this week, obviously, as the budget's being 143 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: handed down, there's been a lot of discussion about, you know, 144 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: where funding allocations are going to go and rehabilitation programs, 145 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: you know, whether there are programs underway for those that 146 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 1: are inside our prisons. Now, I'm not sure who's best 147 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 1: to speak to. 148 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 2: Kate. 149 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: We might go to you, Kate Chalmers, who is indeed Chambers, 150 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: I should say, who is indeed the Assistant Commissioner, Kate. 151 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: Can you talk us through some of the programs that 152 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: are underway behind the wire and you know whether there 153 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: are adequate rehabilitation programs for prisoners. 154 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks very much, Katie. So we continue and my team, 155 00:07:55,640 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 2: specifically the Offender Rehabilitation Team, continue to deliver programs both 156 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: in the psycho educational space and the criminogenic space across 157 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 2: our facilities. What I'm really proud of, Katie, is that 158 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 2: we've heard a lot about the pressures that we're experiencing, 159 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 2: but our team continue to be agile and they continue 160 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 2: to find new and innovative ways to deliver programs. And 161 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 2: whether that's going out and delivering programs in sectors, whether 162 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 2: it's changing the way in which we deliver programs, our 163 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 2: team are constantly reviewing and looking for new and innovative ways. 164 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 2: Of course, we deliver the family Violence program and Rage 165 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 2: amongst a whole suite of other programs. I think what's 166 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 2: really important, Katie, is to understand how critical the work 167 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 2: is that all of our team do, and quite often 168 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 2: we talk about you know, custody will have a critical 169 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 2: role to play, as do our teams that don't necessarily 170 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 2: work behind the wire. So we've got program facilitators, We've 171 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 2: got Aboriginal engagement staff, we have got health liaison officers 172 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,640 Speaker 2: and a whole raft of other officers and members of 173 00:08:57,679 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 2: our team. And I think what's really is tomorrow gives 174 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 2: us the opportunity to recognize those people as part of 175 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 2: National Corrections Day. 176 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: Well, yeah, of course tomorrow is National Corrections Day and 177 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 1: certainly a day to recognize the incredibly hard work that 178 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:15,079 Speaker 1: all of our correctional staff do in terms of those programs. 179 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 1: And when you look at, you know, recidivism, I guess 180 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: when when people do go through those programs within our 181 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: correctional facilities, are you finding I mean, do we find 182 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: that if they have completed those programs and you know, 183 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: without going through each specific one. I guess the biggest 184 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: concern from a lot of Territorial's perspectives is that you 185 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:38,199 Speaker 1: want people to when they go to jail, they come 186 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: out better people, not better offenders. So do we see 187 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:46,719 Speaker 1: a minimized recidivism rate when people are completing these programs? 188 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 2: Yes, O, Katie. I think what's important to remember is 189 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:51,800 Speaker 2: that programs are but one component. Yeah, and we need 190 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: to offer a suite of support services both when people 191 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 2: are incarcerated and when they're released from the prison system. 192 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 2: And what our team t do is they deliver programs 193 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 2: whilst they're incarcerated, and then we have through care teams 194 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 2: that look at pre release management and how we connect 195 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 2: people with the community once they're released. And Tam specifically, 196 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 2: you know, works in community corrections. She was a National 197 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 2: Corrections Day Award recipient last year, and you know, that 198 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 2: just goes to show the importance that we place on 199 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 2: the work that we do both in rehabilitation and also 200 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 2: in community corrections and the work they do once our 201 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 2: prisoners are released. 202 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: Tam talk us through some of that work that does 203 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: happen with community corrections, because I think sometimes people hear 204 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: that and they maybe have absolutely no idea what it means. 205 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 4: So community corrections are a really vital part of the 206 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 4: correction system. We look and engage with people and work 207 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 4: with people as they're going through the justice the first 208 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 4: point end of the justice system, when they're on bail 209 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 4: or when they're going through the court system and preparation 210 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 4: for sentencing, and then we also pick up people who 211 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 4: are sentenced on conditional release from the court, from the prison, 212 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 4: sorry on parole, and also through permit releases, and we 213 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 4: engage so we're at the start of the process and 214 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 4: we're at the end of the process, and we form 215 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 4: that vital connection between all of those key components within 216 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 4: the correctional system that it is. We're an amazing team, 217 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:21,400 Speaker 4: I have to say. We have a very large footprint 218 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 4: across the whole of the territory. Our offices are work 219 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 4: remote and also in urban settings. We've got some amazing 220 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 4: teams and Null and Boy and Groot and whatever down 221 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 4: in the Central Desert region. We've got amazing teams across 222 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 4: the whole of the territory. And these these men and 223 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 4: women go out and just do amazing work with people 224 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:43,680 Speaker 4: in the community to work with them to change what 225 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 4: they are able to change at the time, and with 226 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:50,679 Speaker 4: what we can all do, connecting people again with rehabilitation services, 227 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 4: support services and community reconnecting with family. All the while 228 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 4: they're traversing these conditions imposed by the court or the 229 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 4: parole board, and we're guiding them through the system and 230 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:05,200 Speaker 4: hopefully making some positive change with them on the way. 231 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 1: Tim When you talk about you know what like what 232 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 1: are some of the community corrections programs their prisoners might 233 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:14,559 Speaker 1: be engaged in. I guess for those out there listening, 234 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 1: I mean we've spoken quite a bit about seeing as 235 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:20,720 Speaker 1: having their lawns mode. I know that was like that 236 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:22,839 Speaker 1: was a headline one for us because it was something 237 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:25,679 Speaker 1: that a lot of people felt really passionately that should 238 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: be able to continue to happen. But what are some 239 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:31,239 Speaker 1: of those community corrections programs that people might be undertaking. 240 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:35,439 Speaker 4: So we also alongside the custodial community work teams and 241 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 4: we also have a community work program, so we administer 242 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:42,079 Speaker 4: that and we try we're possible to connect people who 243 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:44,960 Speaker 4: are on community work orders with agencies in community so 244 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 4: that they're making reparation and also learning some key skills 245 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 4: and training and education abilities and things on community work 246 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 4: orders in the community so that they're actually working, living 247 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,439 Speaker 4: and working in these positive environments to try and offset 248 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 4: some of those the contributing factors towards their offending behavior. 249 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:07,320 Speaker 4: Community corrections also has key vital links with monitoring people 250 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:11,599 Speaker 4: who are going through the health services, so mental health provisions, 251 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 4: but also alcohol and drug residential rehab AOD, counseling, lots 252 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 4: of other so we tend to facilitate more understanding that 253 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:25,199 Speaker 4: corrections is only in a person's life for a very 254 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 4: short period of time generally, and we understand that there 255 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 4: are vital links that community corrections need to assist people 256 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 4: to re establish and maintain so that they are able 257 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 4: to better grasp those opportunities to change behavior and the 258 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 4: cycles of offending behavior over time. And we work with 259 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 4: people and the organizations that provide that expert care to 260 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 4: enable people to access that and to succeed and going 261 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 4: through this. 262 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 1: So I guess that could maybe be the difficult part 263 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:54,680 Speaker 1: is sometimes then when people are in that care, you know, 264 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 1: within corrections, but then they actually you know, get released 265 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 1: and step out, and if you don't have those different skills, 266 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 1: those different links, it may be a difficult thing to 267 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 1: be able to, you know, to step out into that 268 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: freedom and make sure you doing the right thing. 269 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 3: And I think that's the point, Katie, where most people 270 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 3: think about the prison system, which is very large and complex, 271 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 3: but our community corrections folk and our offender rehabilitation and 272 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 3: engagement folk are really focused on case managing those people 273 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 3: through the system. 274 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: And then beyond. 275 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 3: And I guess really with National Corrections Day tomorrow. What 276 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 3: I really wanted to explain to territorians is there are 277 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 3: fourteen hundred members of the Department of Corrections getting up 278 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 3: every day, showing up for the territory, working in a 279 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 3: range of complex roles right round this vast place, and 280 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 3: tomorrow is about celebrating their achievements, their contribution to a 281 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 3: safer community, and recognizing some of the remarkable work they do. 282 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 3: And you know, TAM's an example of that where her 283 00:14:55,560 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 3: team last year were awarded for the BAIO support program 284 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 3: that we run with the SALVA both here in Darwin 285 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 3: and Alice Springs. Hugely successful goes on behind the scenes, 286 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 3: but every day there's about fifty or sixty people in 287 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 3: that customized Salvation Army program helping get their lives back 288 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 3: on track so that they don't end up in jail. 289 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: Now, in terms of tomorrow being National Corrections Day, are 290 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: there is there anything planned? Do you have any anything 291 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: planned for the day? 292 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, so, Katie, it's been quite a journey getting to tomorrow, 293 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 2: and we have significant plans for both Darwin and Alice Springs, 294 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 2: but most importantly we're recognizing the remote areas of the territory. 295 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 2: There are functions occurring right across the work camps in 296 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 2: Datchla and Berkley. We've got functions occurring in the youth 297 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 2: justice space as well as the adult space in the centers. 298 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 2: And we've got all our staff, whether it be support 299 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 2: staff or operational frontline stuff and the critical specialist roles 300 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 2: as well, all coming to one of those functions. 301 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: Well, good stuff, I mean it. For all of you, 302 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: What does the day mean to you? What DOESNA Corrections 303 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: they mean to you? Because it does seem to me 304 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 1: that you are all incredibly passionate about the work that 305 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 1: you do. When I know that, you know, over recent 306 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 1: months there's been a lot of talk about you know, budgets, 307 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: how many prisoners we've got, where the programs are running, 308 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: but you all to me seem quite passionate about what 309 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: you do. So what does National Corrections they mean to you? 310 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 4: For me, as someone who's i guess worked through the 311 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 4: system for many years and raised through the ranks of that, 312 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 4: I think it's a really great way to acknowledge, I guess, 313 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 4: the work that the corrections team does and to make 314 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 4: visible the things that are largely unseen and unsung. There's 315 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,040 Speaker 4: so much work that Corrections does we tend to be 316 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 4: on the pointy end of media and public opinion, but 317 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 4: there are so many amazing people out there with genuine 318 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 4: intent to do the right things with the people that 319 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 4: come into our care at any given moment in time. 320 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 4: And it is a real privilege to be able to 321 00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 4: receive awards and be acknowledged by your peers for the 322 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 4: work that is I guess, the expectation that the community 323 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:05,159 Speaker 4: has and that we all have of each other to 324 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:09,879 Speaker 4: perform every day. It's really nice to receive those accolades. 325 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 4: It doesn't do any harm on the CV either. 326 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: Ah, good stuff. Good on your tim, Kate for you. 327 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:18,840 Speaker 1: I mean, it's obviously a really important day. 328 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I think Katie, that's in amongst all the 329 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 2: chaos and pressures that come with any role, it's really 330 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 2: important that we all come together and celebrate what we 331 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 2: stand for, what our values are, what our culture is, 332 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 2: and how we support each other. And as I say, 333 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,439 Speaker 2: we have got a really diverse workforce right across the 334 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:41,000 Speaker 2: territory in my experience, made up of individuals who in 335 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,200 Speaker 2: good faith turn up and do the very best job 336 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 2: they can do under some very challenging circumstances. At the moment. 337 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 2: I know that I'm exceptionally proud of my team and 338 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 2: the teams that we work with, not just you know, 339 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:55,640 Speaker 2: the Corrections teams, but our partners right across government and 340 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:59,680 Speaker 2: also non government organizations that we work closely with all 341 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 2: the time, and I should mention that tomorrow we do 342 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 2: recognize those relationships as well. With some of those stakeholders 343 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 2: who attend and received awards. 344 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: We have big shout out, I think as well to 345 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 1: all of those, to everybody within the department, but particularly 346 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 1: you know, those frontline workers working incredibly hard. I know 347 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: we get a lot of messages from Corrections staff to 348 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: this show. I know plenty of them listen to the show, 349 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: and it would be bloody hard work work that a 350 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: lot of us simply would not be able to do. 351 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 1: So a big shout out to all of those officers 352 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:35,239 Speaker 1: listening this morning. Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley, thank you very 353 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 1: much for your time this morning. 354 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:38,919 Speaker 3: Thanks Katie, and thanks to your listeners for their support 355 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 3: for Corrections. It's been a big year and we've got 356 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,879 Speaker 3: another big year ahead tomorrow. If you see a Corrections 357 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 3: staff member, let's say thanks. 358 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 1: Assistant Commissioner Kate Chambers, Thank you so much for your 359 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: time this morning, Thanks Katie. And Manager of Community Corrections 360 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: Programs Tam Bryant, thank you so much for your time 361 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: this morning.