Rehabilitative needs and treatment of Indigenous offenders in ...

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A greater understanding of Indigenous culture as it relates to colonisation willalso assist program facilitators deliver programs to Indigenous offenders. Ithas been argued that some non-Indigenous therapeutic practitioners incorrectional agencies do not acknowledge appropriately their own culturalfilters when working with Indigenous offenders (Jones 2001). An example ofthis is when non-Indigenous professionals dismiss Indigenous distrust ofgovernment agencies and their representatives (Day et. el. 2006).Misconceptions about Indigenous culture can also further marginaliseIndigenous offenders and reinforce cultural stereotypes. Willis and Moore(2008) have pointed out that some program facilitators need better tounderstand the socio-historical origin of violence that occurs in someIndigenous communities rather than accept violence as an Indigenous culturalcharacteristic. The recognition that most Indigenous offenders are also victimsof crime is also of significant importance.Best-practice offender rehabilitation literature demonstrates that interventionstargeting criminogenic risks of offenders will have more impact on reducing reoffendingthan social or non-criminogenic programs. However, there is debatein the literature about making the distinction between offence-specific orcriminogenic needs and social or non-criminogenic needs for Indigenousoffenders. Howells et. al. argue that when addressing Indigenousrehabilitation needs, it is vital that programs in correctional settings take intoaccount the socio-economic disadvantage of Indigenous offenders. Theyclaim that it is arbitrary to assert that distress, trauma and mental disordersare non-criminogenic needs to be treated as subordinate to criminogenicneeds when there is evidence linking these factors to criminal behaviour(Howells et. al. 1999; Howells et. al. 2004).The development of best-practice program principles for Indigenous offendersin Australia is hindered by the lack of research on the rehabilitation ofIndigenous offenders (Gilbert & Wilson 2009).Culturally-Specific Approaches to Indigenous RehabilitationThere is some evidence demonstrating that culturally-specific programs forIndigenous offenders can reduce recidivism. For example, an evaluation oftwo male sex offender programs in New Zealand showed that both programsreduced recidivism, but the recidivism rates for Maori’s participating in theculturally-specific program were lower than for those participating in themainstream program. The culturally-specific program was based on the CBTapproach, but incorporated a Maori world view by using Maori concepts andterminologies (Bakker, et. el. 1998; Nathan, et. al. 2003).The results from another study hold promise for effective rehabilitation ofviolent Indigenous offenders. A New Zealand study utilising the “Good LivesModel” with a risk management approach to treating violent male Maorioffenders finds that the therapeutic model is able to shift offender attitudeabout violence, thereby reducing their violent offending behaviour postrelease.Reduced re-offending is achieved by addressing violent behaviour19
through incorporating Maori perspectives and the needs of offenders(Whitehead et. al. 2007).An alternative approach to the culturally-specific CBT approach torehabilitating Indigenous offenders is strength-based therapy. This approachplaces emphasis on positive culture and personal identity as a driver ofmotivation for behavioural change and promotes a holistic view ofrehabilitation.Strength-based therapy underpins the ‘Healing Lodge’ model found in Canadawhich addresses offending behaviour in conjunction with personal issues suchas trauma experienced from physical and sexual abuse, substance addiction,and emphasises Indigenous heritage (Crutcher & Trevethan.2002).Research measuring the efficacy of Healing Lodges is extremely limited andinconclusive. One study finds that offenders referred to a Healing Lodgeduring the early years of its operation are more likely to re-offend within oneyear of their release than the control group. However, although not statisticallysignificant, recidivism is less prevalent among Healing Lodge participants asthe Healing Lodge became more established. The research also identifiesother benefits associated with the Healing Lodge. The Healing Lodge isviewed to promote close ties between staff and offenders and facilitatinggreater involvement of local Aboriginal communities in the reintegrationprocess. Residents take pride in their accomplishments at the Healing Lodgeand the use of escorted temporary absences assists with offenderreintegration (Trevethan et. al. 2007).The strength-based approach also underpins the ‘Good Lives Model’ currentlyoperating in New Zealand. This model takes a holistic approach to Indigenousrehabilitation and places an emphasis on Indigenous cultural identity byincluding Indigenous perspectives and concepts in program content(Whitehead et. al. 2007).The Importance of Offender Education and Vocational Training inRehabilitationStudies have linked offending to high levels of unemployment suggesting thatemployment is an important protective factor against offending. Research onoffender education suggests that a substantial number of offenders havesignificant educational, cognitive and health issues that directly affect theirprospects of gaining employment (Harlow 2003; Committee on CommunitySupervision and Desistance from Crime & the National Research Council2008).Numerous studies have shown that education and training are linked topositive outcomes for offenders. A study by Steurer, Smith and Tracey (2001)finds that correctional education programs reduce recidivism and increasepost-release employment outcomes for ex-offenders. Chavez and Dawe(2007) also conclude in their overview of international studies that successfultransition from prison to community requires the incorporation of education,20
Page 1 and 2: Rehabilitative needs and treatment
Page 3 and 4: ContentsGlossary of terms..........
Page 5 and 6: Report SummaryThis report presents
Page 8 and 9: How do program completion rates of
Page 10 and 11: Develop and implement an Indigenous
Page 12 and 13: Chapter 1IntroductionMuch has been
Page 14 and 15: Chapter 2MethodsThis chapter outlin
Page 17: Chapter 3Literature Review of Indig
Page 20 and 21: The Delivery of Programs and Best-P
Page 24 and 25: training and support in rehabilitat
Page 26 and 27: SummaryThis chapter has highlighted
Page 28 and 29: Chapter 4Indigenous Offender Profil
Page 30 and 31: Figure 4.2: Proportion of Total Mal
Page 32 and 33: Further analysis shows that both ma
Page 34 and 35: Indigenous offenders are more likel
Page 36 and 37: Chapter 5QCS Offender Rehabilitatio
Page 38 and 39: anxiety and intellectual capacity.
Page 40 and 41: Staying on Track: Maintenance 18-26
Page 42 and 43: ViolenceThe Cognitive Self Change p
Page 44 and 45: Table 5.2: Summary of QCS Offender
Page 46 and 47: The key aim of the program is the c
Page 48 and 49: These include offender and interfam
Page 50 and 51: Chapter 6Indigenous Offender Partic
Page 52 and 53: specific programs. In 2006-07, comp
Page 54 and 55: Table 6.4 shows that 32 female Indi
Page 56 and 57: Table 6.6: Substance Misuse Program
Page 58 and 59: Vocational Education and Training (
Page 60 and 61: The number of male non-Indigenous o
Page 62 and 63: Chapter 7Perspectives on Indigenous
Page 64 and 65: [The] men’s programs help me in c
Page 66 and 67: elated to culture…and someone fro
Page 68 and 69: This co-facilitation would also pro
Page 70 and 71: When offenders go back home, the fa
Page 72 and 73:
If [offenders] are from a family th
Page 74 and 75:
Chapter 8Conclusion
Page 76 and 77:
Continue to monitor research that f
Page 78 and 79:
Reference ListAboriginal and Torres
Page 80 and 81:
People Conference, Adelaide, 13-15
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