support programs
a community-based initiative operating in
Bairnsdale, the Latrobe Valley, Mildura, Shepparton
and North West Metropolitan regions.
Respected Persons play a mentoring
role to Koori men and women who
are completing community-based
orders, intensive corrections orders,
community corrections treatment
orders or parole. To support program
participants to successfully complete
their orders, mentors provide advice
and cultural connection.
and female Koories to meet the conditions of their
community based orders and assist them to link to
relevant programs and services.
Corrections Orders
for men completing Community Corrections
Orders, there are none for women.
Victoria that encompasses cultural needs the
Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place, however it is
only available to Koori men.
the AJA2. It provides Koori men over 18 years, who
have been sentenced by the court to a Community
Correction Order (CCO) an opportunity to learn new
skills, reconnect with, or further strengthen, their
culture and participate in programs and activities to
help them address their offending behaviour.
Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place at any time
during the course of their Order. A court may also
request both an assessment for a Community
Correction Order and placement at Wulgunggo
Ngalu Learning Place.
Health InfoNet, Koori Offender Support And Mentoring
Program. <http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-
resources/programs-projects?pid=991> 5 June 2013.
State of Victoria, Department of Justice, `AJA3', above n
15, 12.
In which case, an adjournment is sought while the
assessment is undertaken by a Community Corrections
Officer and Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place.
involves living at Wulgunggo Ngalu, in Gippsland,
for three to six months. Up to 20 men may live at
Wulgunggo Ngalu at one time.
responsive to the needs of Koori men. As a result,
the proportion of Koori male offenders who have
successfully completed the program at Wulgunggo
Nglau Learning Place has steadily increased from
68 per cent in 2010-11 to 97 per cent in the 11
months to May 2013.
category of the 2010 International Corrections and
Prisons Association Awards in November 2010,
where it was acknowledged as a leader in its field.
the Courts
barriers to the effective use of diversion for Koori
women in contact with the justice system. These
include: the under-utilisation of existing diversion
schemes; lack of capacity in existing diversionary
schemes; gender inequality; geographical inequity;
lack of stable housing and homelessness and
system fragmentation.
keeping pace with the increasing demand for
services. Short-term funding cycles are a systemic
issue, hampering services that are trying to
address complex, multiple issues that require a
long-term approach.
services to address the unique and complex needs
of Koori women, often driven by intergenerational
trauma and disadvantage.
State of Victoria, Department of Justice, Wulgunggo
Ngalu Learning Place (2012). https://assets.justice.vic.
gov.au/corrections/resources/1e6a7fae-74be-46ce-
be03-d4ca23a4cc5d/wulgunggo_june2012.rtf> at 5
June 2013.
From 66.7 per cent in 2010-11, to 76.6 per cent in 2011-
12, and 97.1 per cent from July 2012 to May 2013. State of
Victoria, Corrections Victoria, `Indigenous Offenders and
Prisoners Data Report to the July 2013 AJF' above n 1.
Key informant interview, Magistrates' Court of Victoria, 3
March 2013.