Our commitment to Aboriginal communities

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country we work on across South Australia and their continuing connection to land and community. We pay our respects to Elders both past, present and future.

A word of warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers our site may contain images of deceased persons.

The DCS Aboriginal Services Unit was established as a result of a Royal Commission into Reducing Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).

Helping Aboriginal prisoners is of the highest priority. Find out more on how we help Aboriginal prisoners.

We are committed to reconciliation

We are actively promoting the building of relationships between all Australians in our communities.

Our vision for reconciliation

We aim to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by crime. We are trying to break down stereotypes and discrimination.

We manage care and custody of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with respect and compassion.

We are constantly evolving our practices and have developed a new action plan that will shape our policies for 2020 to 2023 and beyond.

Find out more on the Reconciliation Australia website.

The Aboriginal Services Unit

The DCS Aboriginal Services Unit is responsible for strategic and operational advice regarding Aboriginal issues.

We are also responsible for Aboriginal prisoners and offenders and the development of culturally appropriate services and programs.

Contact the Aboriginal Services Unit.

Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan

DCS takes great pride in our RAP which represents our commitment towards reconciliation and the provision of culturally responsive services for our clients, staff, and stakeholders. Our RAP is based around the core pillars of respect, relationships, governance and opportunity.

We are continuing to implement our existing Stretch RAP commitments, undertake our reporting requirements and engage closely with Reconciliation Australia to develop a sustainable and meaningful new RAP.

At DCS we believe that reconciliation is everyone’s business, so we actively encourage ideas and feedback from all over the department and community that you think would help DCS in our Reconciliation journey.

Please read our Draft Stretch RAP for consultation 2023 and provide feedback by emailing dcsreconciliationatdcs@sa.gov.au by Friday 2 June 2023.

    Documents

  • Download: DCS Aboriginal Strategic Framework 2021.pdf (5.5 MB PDF)
  • Download: DCS Aboriginal Strategic Framework Action Plan (1.6 MB PDF)