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A REMINDER TO WEAR A LIFEJACKET WHEN ROCK FISHING Rock fishing is one of the most dangerous sports in Australia and of the 10 people who died in NSW in the last year not one was wearing a life jacket. From 1 December 2016, you must wear a lifejacket if you are rock fishing in the Randwick Local Government Area. This is part of a 12-month trial that will see enforcement officers from Randwick City Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Police Force warning offenders not wearing a life jacket and providing advice. After this trial period a $100 fine will be issued to offenders. Randwick Local Government Area has the highest rate of rock fishing drownings in NSW, with Little Bay and Cape Banks some of the most dangerous locations. The Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, was introduced into Parliament to increase reduce drowning the state’s coastline. Find out more about The Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 here: www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au/rockfishing

Department of Justice NSW's cover photo

Department of Justice NSW's cover photo

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Inmates don’t go home for Christmas. That means our staff in correctional centres and community corrections offices across the state will continue working over the festive period. That also includes our dogs from the K9 unit, such as Xanadu, who is already getting into the Christmas spirit. We want to thank our staff – and our dogs – for the terrific work they do keeping our community safe. Corrective Services NSW wishes you all a merry Christmas.

Christmas cheer was seen and felt these past few weeks with staff doing an amazing job adorning their office with Christmas decorations. Hallways were transformed into the North Pole, Christmas trees were suspended in mid-air and snowflakes covered the ceilings. Reindeer food has also been prepared and ready to go for Santa's arrival in two days! From all of us at the Department of Justice NSW, we wish you a safe and happy holiday.

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INMATES GIVEN THE CHANCE TO ADAPT TO LIFE BEYOND PRISON WALLS THROUGH MAITLAND PROGRAM From participating in a barista course to sign writing, offenders being supervised in the Maitland community are given the opportunity to adapt to life beyond prison walls. A group of 16 (mostly male) offenders on supervised parole and other community-based orders, are currently involved in the Pathways to Education, Employment and Training (PEET) program where they learn a variety of skills in partnership with Hunter TAFE. Maitland Community Corrections Manager Daniel Wilson said the program, which has been successfully running twice a year for the past three years, shows offenders there is life after custody. “We target areas where there are skill shortages in the Hunter such as in barista and sign writing work, and give the participants realistic goals,” Mr Wilson said. “The TAFE team provide participants with avenues of work where their criminal history and lack of education will not affect their employment chances. “A lot of people struggle to find employment post-release and are not contributing to society. We’re helping them get on the right path by linking them to work according to their interests and backgrounds.” Other skill sets that participants can be equipped with include catering, painting and decorating, carpentry, construction and cleaning. Mr Wilson said it was dedicated staff, in partnership with Hunter TAFE, who made the program possible. “Participants always comment on the staff’s passion for the program and their continuous motivation,” Mr Wilson said. Beyond work skills, goals of the program include learning team work, communication skills, perseverance, a positive attitude and punctuality. Following the program, offenders are encouraged to apply for other TAFE courses or work opportunities through their employment agencies.

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ABORIGINAL INMATES REBUILD A PATH TO CULTURE AND COMMUNITY A team of Aboriginal inmates and correctional centre staff are reconnecting with their culture and giving back to the community by restoring a traditional Aboriginal trading route on the state’s south coast. The unique week-long work camp will result in the reconstruction of sections of the Bundian Way walking track around Eden, while also improving Aboriginal inmates’ skills in horticulture, construction, land clearing and fencing. One team of seven male inmates from Wellington and Brewarrina completed the program last week while a group of six female inmates are currently working on the track. Corrective Services NSW Aboriginal Strategy and Policy Director Adam Schreiber said it was important for inmates to reconnect with their culture and what better way to do this while assisting an Aboriginal community in restoring local heritage. “Interactions with the local Yuin people have helped educated the inmates on the foundations of Aboriginal culture and in particular, that which is specific to Yuin country and the Bundian Way,” Mr Schreiber said. “We hope that the inmates have strengthened their connection to their culture and community and feel that they have a community where they belong.” The Bundian Way restoration is a project of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council. The 330km track connects the highest peak of the continent at Mount Kosciuszko to the coast. Future programs aim to rebuild local information-centres along Bundian Way to increase tourism in the Twofold Bay region.

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INMATES AND STAFF HELP THOSE IN NEED THIS CHRISTMAS The generosity of inmates and staff at the Mid-North Correctional Centre filled a dozen fruit crates with non-perishable food last week to ensure people in need don’t go hungry over Christmas. Correctional Officer, Lisa Brown, came up with the idea of the inmates giving to a local charity during this festive season several weeks ago. After she discussed it with the Correctional Centre’s Baptistcare Chaplain, James Deaton, they suggested the idea to a few of the representative inmates and it was embraced. “The inmates ran with the opportunity to give,” James said. The numerous inmates who weren’t able to give any non-perishable food wanted to donate money instead. Although we weren’t facilitating inmates giving financially this time, we will certainly try to accommodate these other means of them giving to the community in the future. A collection point was also established for both officers and other staff who were also eager to give this Christmas. Well done to all!

Doing HSC in Juvenile Justice: pen audits and no phones, but 'fewer distractions'

The The Sydney Morning Herald went behind closed doors of the Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre to attend the annual Girrakool School Presentation Day last Friday. Minister for Corrections, David Elliott and MP for Terrigal, Adam Crouch were also in attendance, alongside friends and family who travelled from far and wide to see their loved ones receive education awards. The students were recognised for their efforts in a variety of courses, including Year 10 Life Skills, vocational subjects, preliminary HSC, and Year 12 HSC. Well done to all our young people for their commitment to education in 2016.

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REIBY JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTRE DETAINEES ENJOY DEBUTANT BALL The Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre was a hive of excitement last week as our young women enjoyed a night of fun at the inaugural “SHINE Ball”. They were dressed and made up by SHINE volunteers and enjoyed a debutant-style ball filled with performances, speeches, presentations, music and dancing.