Bringing the concept of restorative practice to Tasmanian Correctional Workers.

Correctional Workers are faced daily with issues that impact on their ability to engage effectively with prisoners and detainees.

These Problems include:

With the Client Group

• Abusive and violent prisoners
• Contraband
• Sexual and physical assaults
• Threats of personal harm
• Bullying and harassment
• Rudeness and inappropriate language
• Mental health and disability
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Generational criminality
• Social and cultural discrimination
• Family disintegration
• Socio-economic disadvantage
• Disempowerment

In the Work Place

• Lack of resources
• Unrealistic expectations of management
• Unrealistic expectations of the public
• High level of decision making responsibility
• Disempowerment

Correctional workers normally will have their own way of dealing with these problems but if these are not successful, burnout and system disintegration quickly set in, resulting in exacerbation of the problems, and potentially resulting in prison lock down or riots.

If a correctional facility adopts restorative practices and these are practised consistently by staff, management and incorporated into system delivery processes then the prisoner will consider that they have been treated in a fair manner which leads to a reduction in the social problems ultimately producing a sense of greater wellbeing within the institution.

JLD Restorative Practices offers workers the opportunity to explore the concept of restorative practice and to translate the philosophy into practice through three PD sessions of 2 hours duration.

This approach,

• Is non adversarial
• Non blaming and non judgemental
• Has the problem as the focus
• Engenders empowerment
• Is seen as ‘fair process’
• Builds relationships

JLD Restorative Practices offers intensive training through a five day course that enables staff and management to build on the introductory sessions and to confidently utilise restorative practices in a holistic manner including the facilitation of impromptu and more formal restorative meetings.

JLD Restorative Practices offers facilitation services for resolution of complex conflict situations which are beyond the resources of an agency to manage in a restorative manner.