Services for people in the justice system

Our aim is to improve the lives of offenders and their families and to contribute to improved community outcomes.

How Red Cross helps

In helping offenders, families and at-risk youth, Red Cross works to achieve the following.

Young people considered most at risk of imprisonment or detention gain the support necessary to stay out of detention.
Young people considered most at risk of imprisonment or detention gain the support necessary to stay out of detention.
People in prison are better able to manage their safety, health and well being and remain connected to their families and communities.
People in prison are better able to manage their safety, health and well being and remain connected to their families and communities.
Families are better able to cope with the stress and stigma of having a family member incarcerated.
Families are better able to cope with the stress and stigma of having a family member incarcerated.
Following release from prison or juvenile detention, ex-offenders will gain improved opportunities, greater resilience, and have positive social connections.
Following release from prison or juvenile detention, ex-offenders will gain improved opportunities, greater resilience, and have positive social connections.

Red Cross programs for people in the justice system

Community Based Health and First Aid program
Prisoner volunteers work with prison staff and Red Cross facilitators to identify and address health, safety and wellbeing needs within their community.

Prisoner Support Program
Peer support for new inmates and inmates in need of support. Currently provided in Tasmania.

Visitor Support Centre
Personal and practical support for people visiting a family member or friend in prison. Currently provided in Victoria.

WorkREDi
WorkREDi provides employment support for young people at risk of, or had contact with, the youth justice system. Young people receive generalist case management support, mentoring, training and skill development opportunities to help them feeling confident and job ready. Currently provided in Victoria.

Youth Justice Advisory Group
The Advisory Group is made up of young people who have been in contact with the justice system. It draws from their own experiences to identify key issues impacting young people in the justice system and provides an opportunity for them to share their stories to advocate for positive change. Currently running in Victoria.

Step Out 
Dedicated mentors working with young offenders - supporting them to access services, make plans for the future, and integrate back into the community. Currently provided in SA.

Working Out to Step Out
Health and fitness programs in prisons and youth detention. Providing a physical exercise program that also teaches anger management, decision making, self esteem and self discipline. Currently provided in SA

Casework Support Program
Casework and mentoring for young people who are under a Juvenile Justice supervision order or after release from youth detention. Caseworkers and mentors help the young people set achievable goals to help them break the cycle of offending. Currently provided in NSW.

Register of Appropriate Support Persons (RASP)
RASP is a volunteer focussed program that provides support for young people who are required to be interviewed or charged by police. RASP volunteers provide support when no other parent, support person or guardian can be present. During these interactions, volunteers help young people to feel confident that their rights will be upheld and that they will be treated fairly before, during and after the interview and/or charging process. Currently provided in Darwin and surrounds, Katherine and Alice Springs.

Youth in Detention Activities
Volunteer designed and driven this program provides activities in Youth Detention Centres on weekends. Through this program young people are supported by trained volunteers in their development of real-world life skills including cooking, healthy eating, financial budgeting, interpersonal communication, teamwork, task delegation and self-motivation. Currently provided in NT.

Police Call Outs
The Police Call Outs program provides suitably trained volunteers to be present with a young person (defined as aged 10 up to 18 years) whilst they are held in police custody. Red Cross volunteers work to minimise the stress and anxiety that a young person may experience when arrested and help to ensure young people's rights are respected and upheld. Currently provided in SA.

Connections
The Connections program’s primary focus is to support people who are exiting the Justice system and are experiencing social isolation and require assistance transitioning back to their community. Individuals are matched with a volunteer mentor who provides social connection and also supports with goal setting upon release from prison. Currently provided in SA.

Justice Reinvestment
In partnership with Justice Reinvestment South Australia, Tiraapendi Wodli and the Aboriginal community living in Port Adelaide Red Cross launched a Justice Reinvestment site that strengthens the health, safety and lives of Aboriginal families in the region. A key part is the development of an “Aboriginal community hub”, a place for community members to design and implement initiatives to address the underlying causes of crime and to support Aboriginal families in the Port Adelaide and western metropolitan area to live healthy, safe and culturally strong lives.

Youth Justice Mentoring Program
Mentoring support provided by volunteers to young people exiting the justice system, supporting case management and as a step down ongoing pro social support after case management ceases. Currently provided in NSW.

Post Release Program
This approach to managing remand prisoners is an Australian first, where people on remand will have access to education, therapeutic interventions and work opportunities through their time in prison. Planning for release commences at the time a person enters custody and for up to six months post release for those who choose to be part of the program. Currently provided in NSW.

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