Unfinished business: Koori women and the justice system Page 65

Chapter 5: Courts and diversion 61

Recommendations

That the Magistrates Court of Victoria establish a
Koori-specific Court Integrated Services Program.
This program should include dedicated services
for Koori women.

That the Magistrates Court of Victoria consult with
the Aboriginal Justice Forum to develop guidance
to Magistrates on barriers to the successful
completion of diversion for Koori women, with a
view to developing more flexible and responsive
options for this cohort. Noting the distinct patterns
of offending arising from multi-age peer groups
among young Koori women, this work should
include a review of eligibility for Koori women who
are not first time offenders.

Noting the importance of section 3A of the Bail Act
1977 in realising the right to equality and cultural
rights, that:

· further guidance and associated training

be developed for Victoria Police, court
registrars, Magistrates and bail justices on the
implementation of this section

· such training should be developed in

partnership with the Victorian Equal Opportunity
and Human Rights Commission and specifically
address the intersection of the Bail Act and the
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
Act 2006.

Noting that there are currently only two Koori
independent prison visitors in Victoria, that the
Office of Correctional Services Review undertake
a review of this program, including eligibility
criteria so that more Koori community members
may participate.

That a community based, culturally appropriate
residential program for Koori women on bail,
Community Corrections Orders and post release
be established. This Women's Place (the hub)
should:

· reflect the geographical diversity of Koori

women, recognising the importance of
providing reconnection to culture

· involve Elders
· offer culturally appropriate support and

programs from Koori and non-Koori service
providers

· have a majority of programs developed and run

by Koori women

· be holistic and take into account the needs of

the family and the family structure, whatever that
may be and however large that may be

· accommodate children
· be flexible and tailored to where women are in

their life and their specific circumstances

· address causal factors and drivers of their

offending and put in place support services to
deal with these

· provide aftercare support, including access to

mentoring

· include outreach, secondary consultancy and

brokerage to agencies working with women prior
to, and after their time at the Women's Place

· be the central service within a hub and spoke

model of integrated service delivery to Koori
women in contact with the criminal justice
system.

The other elements of the program (the spokes)
should include:

· enhanced Local Justice Worker Program and

the Koori Offender Support and Mentoring
Program

· nomination rights to residential drug and alcohol

services with a Koori focus

· delivery of additional Koori specific interventions

within women's prisons enhancements to
transition planning and services for Koori
women exiting prison, including the Transition
Assistance Program, Konnect, mentoring
programs and the Women's Integrated Support
Program

· Koori women's Restart housing project.
Noting that Koori women are refused bail due to
a chronic lack of appropriate accommodation,
that in the short term, Corrections Victoria extend
its existing transitional (bail) house program by
leasing additional Koori women's houses. At least
one of these new transitional houses should be
located in metropolitan Melbourne. Over time these
houses should be replaced by the Women's Place
as recommended above.

Noting the positive benefits of the Local Justice
Worker Program and the Koori Offender Support
and Mentoring Program in assisting Kooris to
address fines payments, that these programs be
enhanced with a specific focus on Koori women
with multiple fines and at risk of imprisonment.