Cultural Liaison Officer (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)

About the role

This position has been identified as a targeted vacancy to be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, due to the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders in custody. It is an occupational requirement that the position be filled by such a person, as permitted and arguable under Sections 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. The officer advises management and staff on cultural and management issues pertaining to prisoners, contributes to case management and sentence management, and consults with multi-cultural communities and organisations to support family contact.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in case management so that program referrals and cultural issues are addressed during the sentence
• Contribute to sentence management by attending inductions, parole interviews and prisoner reviews, and helping with transition arrangements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners
• Work in a multidisciplinary team to manage the progression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners, including assessment and reporting to sentence management and professional staff
• Liaise with prisoners' families, management, government and non-government welfare agencies and service providers to meet individual, social and cultural needs
• Coordinate monthly Elder visits to correctional centres and facilitate access to legal services through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, including managing visits to nominated legal representatives
• Provide welfare services such as support for family issues, leave of absence requests, medical services and hospital visits
• Support prisoner criminogenic programs and help complete program exit reports and case notes in the Integrated Offender Management System (IOMS)
• Develop and maintain comprehensive case notes and provide consultancy to professional staff within the centre
• Coordinate Family Visits Days and other culturally significant activities, and monitor family contact
• Consult with communities and organisations on cultural issues and engage them to strengthen post-release family support
• Work with agencies such as the Department of Communities, Justice and Attorney-General, Queensland Police Service, the Family Responsibilities Commission and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services