Programs for prisoners and offenders

Visiting Elders Program

Our Aboriginal elders participate as volunteers and visit prisons across South Australia.

Visits are scheduled on a monthly basis and the program is available at the following prisons:

  • Adelaide Pre-release Centre
  • Adelaide Remand Centre
  • Adelaide Womens Prison
  • Cadell Training Centre
  • Mobilong Prison
  • Port Augusta Prison
  • Yatala Labour Prison

The program is currently being developed at Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln Prisons.

The Visiting Elders Program engages, encourages and supports Aboriginal prisoners in a cultural appropriate manner. Elders play a vital role in supporting the rehabilitation of Aboriginal prisoners.

Visiting elders assist Aboriginal prisoners re-establish and strengthen their family and community connections before the prisoner leaves prison.

The elders use their cultural authority to help strengthen family kinship ties and remind prisoners of their cultural and family responsibilities within their communities.

Apply to be a Visiting Elder

If you are interested in becoming a Visiting Elder you should be active in your community and already have a relationship with a current Visiting Elder. We only take recommendations from other Aboriginal Elder participants for new participants to the program.

Security Checks

All our volunteers must complete a security check as per our volunteer requirements .

If you successfully join the program

If accepted as a Visiting Elder you will be rostered on a monthly basis. A yearly schedule of the visiting requirements and duties will be provided.

More information on becoming a visiting Elder

Please speak to a current Visiting Elder in your community or contact the Aboriginal Services Unit.

We also have an Aboriginal Visiting Elders Program Flyer available to download.

Other programs

OWMC – Our Way My Choice

This is an Aboriginal preparatory and wellness program for Aboriginal Men, which is non-criminogenic. The program aims to increases self-awareness and the engagement of the participants. It is currently delivered in prisons but the program is being developed for use in the community

Drumbeat program

Drumbeat is a non-criminogenic program for Aboriginal men and women, delivered in prisons.  It is an evidence-based experiential social and emotional learning program, incorporating hand drumming that aims to build resilience through developing relationship skills.

The program allows participants to partake in a cooperative team process, involving music making and group discussion to explore relationships through rhythm.

RSG2 – Respect Sista Girls 2 Program

This is a program for Aboriginal women involving cultural and wellness awareness. It is a non-criminogenic program delivered through a cultural lens. The program aims to empower Aboriginal women to make better life choices, increase self-awareness and self-esteem. It tries to teach roles and responsibilities and how to obligations to both the family and the wider Aboriginal community.