A group of Aboriginal men in custody have been the first to complete a new Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) program to help inmates reconnect with their culture and put them on a path to healing.
Manager of the Aboriginal strategy and policy unit at CSNSW, and Gamilaraay woman, Louise Lynch said 30 inmates at St Heliers Correctional Centre in the Hunter region participated in the inaugural 10-week cultural strengthening course.
Ms Lynch said the program included didgeridoo-making; Aboriginal dance and language; bush tucker classes; and ancestral storytelling.
“By building someone’s identity, you’re creating a more resilient and confident person who’ll want to participate in other programs to address their offending behaviour,” Ms Lynch said.
“Correctional centre staff have already noticed that the inmates have improved behaviour, greater focus and a better understanding of who they are and the pathway they want to take to improve themselves,” she said.
Ms Lynch said the cultural program would be rolled out to the next group of inmates next month.
Organiser with Gawura Cultural Immersions, and Darug and Gubbi Gubbi man, Stuart McMinn, who is responsible for the Aboriginal dance and wellbeing sessions, said building cultural identity was a slow process but he had already noticed positive changes among the men.
“At the beginning, some of the men didn’t want to dance and many didn’t know their mob or stories, but now they’re proud to dance and want to share those stories,” Mr McMinn said.
“We know people with stronger identities do better in life, so learning these cultural practices are important for their rehabilitation,” he said.
