The Community Restorative Centre (CRC) is the lead NGO in NSW providing specialist support to people affected by the criminal justice system, with a specific focus on reintegration programs for people who have multiple and complex needs. CRC’s Transitional Indigenous Service (TIS) in Far West NSW provides holistic throughcare support to First Nations people leaving Broken Hill Correctional Centre to reside in Broken Hill, Wilcannia and Menindee.
Best-practice research on incarcerated populations emphasises the importance of building an identity outside of the criminal justice system. In the case of First Nations clients, this includes support to reconnect with family, kinship systems, Community and culture. Research also substantiates the link between time spent on Country and improvements in the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of First Nations people living in remote areas.
Designed and led by First Nations staff of the Transitional Indigenous Service, the Prison Cultural Program allows incarcerated men on day release to travel to local culturally significant sites to participate in on-Country activities, followed by weekly skills workshops in the prison. The program aims to help break entrenched cycles of criminal justice system involvement by offering culturally grounded community pathways to improve social and cultural wellbeing for participants. A panel made up of TIS staff, a program participant and a custodial officer will present on the significant benefits to incarcerated First Nations men of spending time on Country and sharing traditional skills, facilitating the intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
Presenters
Terina King
– Manager, Transitional Indigenous Service, Community Restorative Centre
Terina King is a Barkindji woman originally from the far western NSW town of Menindee and now the manager of the Community Restorative Centre’s Transitional Indigenous Service in Broken Hill. Terina started as a Transition Worker with CRC in 2018, progressing to become Senior Transition Worker, Team Leader and now Program Manager. Terina began her career in residential care working with State Wards in Mildura before taking a position in the Kalypi Paaka Mirika Healing Program at Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation. Her experience at Maari Ma was the catalyst for Terina’s move to CRC, where her focus is on adult throughcare and supporting members of her local community interacting with the criminal justice system.
Anthony Hayward
– Transition Worker, Transitional Indigenous Service, Community Restorative Centre
Anthony Hayward is a proud Ngiyampaa man from the far western NSW town of Broken Hill. Anthony commenced his role as a Transition Worker at the Community Restorative Centre in August 2023. Prior to this, he had a career in the arts and he has also held a variety of roles in community development and case management. Anthony is passionate about upholding strong Aboriginal culture and values, and he devotes a lot of his time to keeping culture alive in the local community. Over the years, Anthony has been mentored by Elders and he hopes to continue to fulfill his passions in his current role as a Transition Worker at CRC.
