Offender Services

GEO has an established record as a pioneer and a manager of innovative programs for offender rehabilitation. We are committed to evidence-based rehabilitation solutions that are proven to reduce recidivism.

The quality of the programs at each of our facilities contributes to the overall success of their operations. Rehabilitation programs are proven to reduce the cost of incarceration, enhance the health and welfare of offenders, instill a strong work ethic to develop attitudes essential for becoming productive citizens after release, and address criminogenic factors often central to a prisoners offence history.

GEO’s throughcare ethos assesses a prisoner’s specific needs and requirements on arrival, establishes case management files and uses this information to apply needs-based interventions that specifically meet the offenders individual needs.

Offenders are enrolled in a wide range of programs at GEO facilities, ranging from academic and vocational programs to substance abuse treatment and life skills education.

Annually, GEO manages in excess of 1.8 million prisoner employment hours and offers more than 300,000 contact hours of education, accredited training courses and therapeutic programs.

Education

Poor educational attainment amongst offenders is common and a major barrier to securing employment in the community. GEO’s emphasis is on the development of marketable and relevant educational skills.

Each offender undergoes a comprehensive educational assessment that is used to develop an individual program of skills development.

Educational programs include basic education, adult literacy and numeracy. These programs are structured to meet the needs of each individual with major emphasis placed on the development of the skills needed to secure employment.

Education opportunities are also provided at a tertiary level primarily through GEO partnerships with TAFE institutes. Inmates are also provided with the opportunity to study for bachelor and master degrees at university.

Vocational Education

Vocational education and training is an important element of GEO’s rehabilitation program suite and is intended to provide offenders with work experience so they can achieve the skills necessary to obtain employment upon release.

GEO has developed strong partnerships with education institutions for delivery of training and education programs. Junee Correctional Centre has a contract with TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, while Fulham Correctional Centre has a similar partnership with the East Gippsland Institute of TAFE.

These partnerships allow accredited vocational education and training programs to be delivered by qualified and industry experienced teaching staff while providing opportunities for prisoners to work in a production industry utilising those vocational skills.

Examples of the types of courses undertaken by inmates through these TAFE partnerships include commercial cooking, hospitality services, small business management, literacy and numeracy, computer studies, distance education (correspondence) programs, Aboriginal culture, automotive studies, basic engineering, visual arts, forklift operation and rural studies.

In 2008 a total of more than 230,000 education hours were delivered by TAFE to inmates at Fulham and Junee correctional centres.

Prison Industry Programs

All GEO correctional centres provide prison industry programs.

Prison industry programs are designed to place offenders in realistic work environments and enable them to acquire skills to increase their potential for successful rehabilitation and meaningful employment.

Industries are operated to reflect commercial businesses in the community. Vocational training is integrated with the industry operation to further enhance post release employment opportunity.

Working with commercial manufacturers, Fulham Correctional Centre manufactures a range of timber products such as planter tubs, bird feeders, compost bins, fence extenders and furniture.

There is also a metalwork program where prisoners make wood-fired pizza ovens, pot-belly stoves and mini spit-roasters, and a nursery that concentrates on bulk orders of plants from commercial customers.

Junee Correctional Centre operates eight different industry programs. Activities include producing metal components, wine racks and managing a market garden.

GEO’s industrial partners are a source of employment for released prisoners, the prisoner having already worked for the company whilst serving his sentence.

Behavioral/Life Skills

Studies have shown that many offenders are ill-equipped to handle the social challenges of everyday life. For this reason, GEO provides a variety of programs to prepare offenders for a smooth transition into society after release as part of resettlement planning and preparation.

Based on individual needs, GEO offers offenders a combination of programs that deal with consumer awareness, health issues, interpersonal skills, cognitive skills training and job readiness education.

At Junee, the ‘Think First’ program helps inmates develop and apply social problem solving skills, while the 17-week NETT (Normalisation, Education, Treatment and Training) Program tackles anger management, addictions and personal development.

At Fulham, a Cognitive Skills Program designed to reduce recidivism has successfully operated since 2003.

The unique Nalu Challenge Community unit at Sale is another example of GEO’s work in his area. This 68-bed unit designed, constructed and funded by GEO, provides specific programs for young offenders that combine intensive therapy and adventure based challenge programs with life and work skills. It has been recognised as significantly reducing re-offending rates.

Inmates are offered support to deal with stress management, relationships and grief, while programs deal with other issues such as manageing self-harm.

Prisoners are also offered pre-release programs that provide practical information and assistance with employment, community housing, Centrelink and other welfare services.

Substance Abuse Programs

A significant number of offences in Australia are related to drug and alcohol abuse. Accordingly, GEO provides a variety of substance abuse intervention and preventative programs.

GEO’s support in this area consists of education classes including psycho-education, reactive and preventative counseling and cognitive-behavioral treatment.

Each of our facilities also has a specific drug abuse program. An offender admitted to the program must be clinically diagnosed with a substance abuse or dependence disorder. Drug abuse specialists evaluate each offender after admission and develop an individual treatment plan to fit their specific needs.

The longstanding Intensive Drug Treatment programs at Fulham and Junee have provided an innovative approach to drug related issues. GEO has introduced IRIS recognition technology at both of these facilities to improve the efficiency of its methadone programs.

Integrated drug strategies at each facility aim to reduce the supply and demand for drugs and use treatment staff working closely with security functions.

Cultural Programs

GEO is a leader in the delivery of cultural programs.

Each GEO facility has a cultural centre that operates as a prison community hub where inmates can embrace and celebrate their culture through respect of traditions, visits by elders, cultural awareness programs, dance and art.

Fulham Correctional Centre has taken this approach a step further with the development of the Yeerung Unit. This special unit is for inmates who choose to live in an environment dedicated to indigenous prisoners.

Cultural programs offered by GEO include an indigenous parenting program, indigenous dance and art, cultural and spiritual traditions, and indigenous languages.

A highlight at all centres each year is NAIDOC Week during which prisoners and guests celebrate indigenous cultures. Waitangi Day, a celebration of Maori culture, is another significant day on the GEO calendar.

Support is provided across many cultural groups, reflecting the diversity of the prison population.

Faith-based Programs

All offenders have access to religious resources, services, instruction and/or counseling on a voluntary basis. Junee supports an inter-denominational Christian program that establishes strong Christian communities among the prison population. The centre celebrates a range of cultural and religious observances including Ramadan and the Jewish Passover.

Recreation

GEO provides a comprehensive recreation program within each of the facilities we operate. An extensive recreation program is essential to a balanced lifestyle, health, positive social interaction, teamwork, cooperation and self-esteem.

Recreation opportunities at GEO facilities include football, softball, basketball, volleyball, table games, exercise equipment, television, books and magazines, library resources, art, board games, guest lecturers and special interest classes.

Fulham and Junee correctional centres participate in the ‘Pups in Prison’ program, which unites officers, inmates and community representatives as they train and socialise a group of special dogs destined to assist people with disabilities. Inmates are responsible for feeding, grooming and training the dogs and the program is a key aspect of GEO’s reparative agenda.

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Offender Services
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