26/11/96
The
informal `buddy' system which operates within Western Australian prisons has
been given a formal boost with the appointment of 10 new Prisoner Support
Officers.
Assisting Justice Minister Kevin Minson said the new officers would train
and support prisoners to help other prisoners under a more structured system of
peer support.
The new
officers were stationed at the C W Campbell Remand Centre, Canning Vale,
Casuarina, Bandyup, Bunbury, Albany, Greenough, Eastern Goldfields, Roebourne
and Broome prisons.
Peer
support had been an established but informal practice in WA prisons, starting in
1989 at Fremantle Prison and later progressing to a pilot scheme at Greenough
Regional Prison.
Under
the scheme, the support officers - who were public servants, not prison officers
- would train suitable volunteer prisoners in listening, cultural awareness and
other support skills.
"The
more formalised approach to peer support at Greenough, which employed the
State's first Prisoner Support Officer, proved so successful that it was decided
to introduce the system across our prisons," Mr Minson said.
"Having
a fellow prisoner to talk to in times of emotional upheaval or stress can
provide benefits both to prisoners and to the effective operation of a prison.
"This
is particularly true in cases where prisoners may feel vulnerable to self-harm
and feel more comfortable confiding in another prisoner who can help with the
support and monitoring process, along with trained prison staff."
The
officers come from a variety of working backgrounds including careers in Family
and Children's Services, Western Power, the Education Department, youth, legal
and nursing fields.
Mr
Minson said prison officers had been supportive of the pilot peer support
program at Greenough, with similar support expected across all prisons.
"Peer
support is not about prisoners taking on the roles of prison officers or other
trained professionals in the prison system," he said.
"Prison
officers, psychologist, social workers, medical staff and others will still have
primary responsibility for assisting prisoners in need.
"Prisoner Support Officers and volunteer prisoners can only complement
that support process."
Media
contacts: Caroline Lacy on 222 9211 or 222 9595
Stacey
Molloy at the Ministry of Justice on 264 1099.
