Justice Health NSW establishes new partnership to support Aboriginal patients in state’s Central West

The in-reach model, based on the Justice Our Way program, involves local Aboriginal community-based health services delivering support to Aboriginal patients in custody and transitioning to community.

The expansion of the program is funded under the Domestic Family Sexual Violence National Partnership Agreement, and will see place-based throughcare, designed by WACHS, delivered at Wellington Correctional Centre to Aboriginal women on remand and in custody, and for the first time also piloted for Aboriginal men in custody.

First implemented in 2014 by the South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda), The Justice Our Way program addresses a critical gap in support for Aboriginal people transitioning out of the justice system.

For the past 10 years, the Justice Our Way program has been successfully delivered to women in Dillwynia and Silverwater Correctional Centres.

In July this year, the program expanded to support Aboriginal women at Mid North Coast Correctional Centre through a newly formed partnership with Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service.

As the only program of its kind in NSW, Justice Our Way takes a strengths-based and holistic approach to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in the justice system to support a reduction in re-offending.

Highly experienced staff support patients by offering case management, a comprehensive suite of health and wellbeing programs, and referrals to local services when patients transition out of custody.

Quotes attributable to Justice Health NSW Acting Chief Executive Rose Lougheed:

“We know that Aboriginal patients are significantly overrepresented in custodial settings, compared to the general community.”

“Justice Health NSW remains deeply committed to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal patients across the state.”

“By partnering with Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service, we are well placed to have a positive impact on Aboriginal patients at Wellington Correctional Centre.”

“This culturally safe and holistic approach to health care empowers and supports patients by ensuring they are supported while in custody and when returning to community.”

Quotes attributable to Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service Executive Manager Sonya Berryman:

“Together with Justice Health NSW, we will provide Aboriginal people in custody in the state’s Central West with essential trauma-informed and culturally safe care.”

“These services not only directly address the immediate health needs of Aboriginal people, they also empower individuals to engage with and manage their wellbeing long term – while in custody and when returning to community.”