Corrections Minister Bob Cameron today officially opened a $3 million residential facility in Won Wron, near Yarram, for Aboriginal offenders on community based orders.
Mr Cameron said the Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place would help address the over-representation of Aboriginal people in Victoria’s criminal justice system.
The site will house up to 20 men from across Victoria and offer them training and education while giving them a chance to connect with their Indigenous culture and history.
"This facility is about addressing the specific needs of Aboriginal offenders, reconnecting them with their culture and giving them the life skills they need to turn their lives around,” Mr Cameron said. "This facility is about addressing the specific needs of Aboriginal offenders."
"Victoria has among the lowest re-offender rates in the country, this is partly due to the Brumby Government's ongoing investment in programs which tackle the cause of crime.”
Courts and Community Corrections Services will be able to refer Aboriginal offenders to the program with participants to spend between three to six months in the program.
“Each participant will have a specific case management plan to target their behaviour and examine the issues that led them to offend,” he said.
The Brumby Government established the facility in close partnership with Victoria’s Indigenous community.
"We wanted to ensure the entire project would be culturally appropriate – this is reflected in everything from the design of the building to the support programs,” he said.
The centre will employ five full-time Aboriginal staff, with a local Indigenous Advisory Group established to provide cultural information
“Selected Indigenous elders from across Victoria will visit the facility regularly to ensure cultural integrity of the program, lead cultural activities and act as role models and mentors,” he said.