NCJ Number
194149
Date Published
October 2001
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper describes how Queensland's (Australia) Ending Family Violence Program, which can be offered in both a custodial and community setting, is modified in order to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders.
Abstract
The program modifications stem from the premise that there are differing value systems between the ethnocentric non-Indigenous correctional system and Aboriginal Australia, such that the development of programs and correctional interventions for Aboriginal offenders must involve a concerted effort to take into account every facet of the Aboriginal perspective. In developing the Ending Family Violence Program, this paper's author was given the task of developing a "correctional, Indigenous, rehabilitative, education, therapeutic program" that could be delivered to Aboriginal men and women in a custodial and community setting. At the same time, the program was to remain aligned with the Department of Corrective Services regulations for offender programs. This paper first summarizes the general requirements for offender programs in the areas of evaluation, delivery, timing of program delivery in the sentence plan, qualities of the facilitator, participant support, linkages to other offender programs, linkages to the community, and eligibility criteria. The Ending Family Violence Program for Indigenous offenders takes into account correctional factors that underpin effective programming; these are the degree of risk for reoffending, the level of need, the responsivity factor, and program integrity. These factors are useful, however, only if cultural appropriateness is given due regard. Because of the diversity in social background and upbringing of Indigenous people, they have distinctive ways of learning that should be noted in program delivery. This paper outlines the informal learning approach that should be used with Indigenous offenders and lists useful teaching strategies. 1 reference