Red dust, 4 wheel drives, long distances and dedicated staff were the features of the Prisoners Review Boards recent visit to the Pilbara region.
Five members of the Board started their 2 day Pilbara visit in Port Hedland, meeting with Community Corrections Staff who manage offenders released on parole back into Port Hedland and the many remote aboriginal communities in the area.
The Board shared information about its expectations and heard about some of the challenges staff face living in the same small town with people they manage.
At Yandeyarra Community, south of Port Hedland off the Newman Road, the Board met community chairman Mr Lim, who related to the Board and Community Justice Service staff the willingness of Yandeyarra’s Elders to accept aboriginal parolees into their community for rehabilitation.
Visiting communities such as Yandeyarra reinforces the Board’s understanding of the difficult situation aboriginal offenders and communities face in managing parole demands.
Members of the Prisoners Review Board and Port Hedland CJS meetin with Yandeyarra Community representatives
On the road to Yandeyarra
Day One ended with a long drive back to the Great Northern Highway and down to Karratha.
Day Two saw Community Justice Service staff from Roebourne and Karratha gather in Roebourne to meet the Board. Deputy Chairman Alan Parke explained the Board’s needs regarding information and reports, and also the position the new Chairperson of the Board, Justice Narelle Johnson, had taken on releasing prisoners to parole.
Board members with CJS staff from Roebourne and Karratha
A highlight of the day was the visit to the Decca Project, a training facility for Roebourne Prisoners at an old signal station. The enthusiasm and pride of the two prison officers who oversee the project, Gordon Orr and Ralph Colton, as well as the Campus Manager Dr Delphine McFarlane, was uplifting to witness.
Deputy Chairman Alan Parke talks with offenders at Decca Station
Learning welding at Decca
Offenders learn skills that can assist them in getting jobs in the mining industry, and there are already some success stories coming out of the project.
At Roebourne Prison the Board heard 4 cases, including a review of a life sentenced prisoner. 9 Community Corrections staff and several prison officers sat in on the hearing to gain first hand experience of the conduct of the Prisoners Review Board.
Members of the Prisoners Review Board visit Roebourne
The day finished with a quick flight back home to Perth.
