Minister for Corrections
Elise Archer,Minister for Corrections
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is continuing to invest in the rehabilitation of prisoners in Tasmania, so they can get their lives back on track and contribute to our community in a positive way upon their release.
We have recently implemented a new innovative program at the Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison designed to encourage behavioural change in female prisoners and to address destructive behavioural patterns.
The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) started earlier this month and gives prisoners the tools they need to develop skills and change their ways of thinking, allowing them to address a range of destructive behaviours, including substance misuse and abuse, and violent behaviour.
Importantly, this means greater rehabilitation options for prisoners, reducing recidivism, and less crime in our community upon their release.
We know that progressive, targeted, rehabilitation focused programs like DBT make a real difference to individuals in prison, which is why we are investing almost $2.5 million towards rehabilitation programs and staff within our prisons over a three year period.
As part of that investment, we have commenced the process of recruiting five new therapeutic staff to work within Risdon Prison with a focus on delivering rehabilitation programs, and drug and alcohol interventions.
As Minister for Corrections, my clear focus is on effective and meaningful rehabilitation programs within our prison system, and we will continue doing all we can to help prisoners rehabilitate and get their lives back on track.
