On the 11th of September 2008 the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), the ACT’s first adult prison, was officially opened and took its first prisoners during the month of April 2009. Prior to this, the ACT’s prison population were based in prisons in NSW.
Given the link in the literature between AOD use and incarceration the opening of the AMC was likely to have implications for the ACT AOD sector. Given this, there were several unknown factors regarding the capacity of the ACT AOD sector to engage with prisoners and the prison itself. In anticipation of this the sector proactively agreed to identify how it might engage with the complex individual and systems issues the AMC may present.
Seven key items to come from this initiative included:
Ben Frommel conducted his Bachelor of Community Education, University of Canberra, third year student project with the ACT AOD sector and was based with the ACT AOD Sector Project Team. As part of his project he developed, implemented and analysed a survey about the ACT AOD sector and the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Download the full ACT AOD Sector and Prisons Project Report (pdf)
Exploring the Relationships between Alcohol and Other Drug Services and the New Prison, on Wednesday 24 June 2009 as part of Drug Action Week.
The conference focused on the relationship between AOD services and the ACT’s new correctional facilities; and aimed to facilitate access to evidence relating to best practice and sought to strengthen the capacity, skills and knowledge base of workers.
There has been significant debate within the ACT community and service sector about the opening of the new adult prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). The conference was not a debate about the pros or cons of the prison itself. Instead it sought to enhance understanding of correctional facilities and to explore the potential impacts of the prison on the service system and workers, with a specific focus on the relationship between the ACT AOD workforce and the new prison.
For further information about the conference, including the program and presenter powerpoints, visit: http://www.aodsector.org.au/public/activities/Conference2009.html
A survey was developed and conducted by the ACT AOD Sector Project with the ACT AOD sector in July – August 2009. The survey aimed to elicit information on the skill and knowledge base needed to work with people both in the prison environment and upon release, and how this can be developed.
Download the capacity building survey .
A presentation at the ACT AOD Monthly Forum held on Thursday 26 November 2009, summarising the survey findings. Download the forum flyer and powerpoint presentation.
Every six months the ACT AOD sector updates the ACT AOD Services Directory. From November 2009 the Directory reflected information on services provided to people in, and post release from, Alexander Maconochie Centre and the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. The Directories can be accessed from:
ACT AOD Services Directory Version 4 (November 2009)
http://www.aodsector.org.au/public/activities/documents/AODV4Directoryfinal.pdf
ACT AOD Services Directory Version 5 (June 2010)
The report summarises the survey findings and asks some key questions for consideration by the sector. Dowlnoad the Survey Findings Report.
As part of the third annual ACT AOD Sector Conference, a poster presentation of this initiative will be done to raise awareness of the initiative and it’s finding; and to feedback information back to stakeholders. Download the poster presentation.
Ben Frommel
ACT AOD Sector Project
Youth Coalition of the ACT
Phone: (02) 6247 3540
Email: carrie@aodsector.org.au
Web: www.aodsector.org.au