The impact of the Prisoners’ Legal Service (PLS) is being felt in the Far North through a targeted visits program helping First Nations prisoners.
With funding from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG), the Brisbane-based PLS is delivering parole education and advice clinics at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre (LGCC) in Mareeba, with the first visit completed in early July.
PLS Director and Principal Solicitor Helen Blaber said First Nations people were more likely to serve their entire sentence in prison, meaning they were less likely to be released on parole compared to non-Indigenous people.
However, the barriers to obtaining parole were often unrecognised and the lack of legal assistance available for parole decisions contributed to the over-representation of First Nations people in prison, Helen said.
“The aim of this project is to help reduce the over-representation of First Nations people in prison and promote safer communities through parole representation and facilitating connections to community supports, particularly, Aboriginal-controlled organisations,” she said.
“By conducting group education sessions, prisoners with legal literacy are empowered to self-navigate parole processes.
“These group sessions are followed by individual advice clinics to ensure disadvantaged prisoners received tailored advice and, where appropriate, legal representation.”
Over four days during NAIDOC Week, PLS solicitors Rachel Tomassen and Katrina Davidson conducted 14 parole education sessions and provided tailored advice to LGCC inmates. They also met with four service providers in the Cairns region to build relationships and establish referral pathways.
Helen said many of the prisoners visited were now receiving parole representation from the service.
“In addition to making legal submissions advancing their cases for release, we are supporting our clients to arrange grassroots supports in the community which they cannot access in prison,” she said.
“This promotes successful rehabilitation and recognises First Nations prisoners’ cultural rights protected under the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).
“PLS is grateful to DJAG for supporting this project and we look forwarding to continuing this important project throughout 2024-25.”
PLS helps disadvantaged people to navigate the parole system. It combines legal and support work to develop holistic release plans and maximise the likelihood of prisoners’ graduated release and successful, long-term reintegration into the community. For more information, visit the website.
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