Corrective Services NSW

Family and community support

Family and community relationships can play an important part in supporting an offender to make and sustain changes which reduce reoffending.

Services for families of offenders

Specific services are provided for families of offenders who are in custody to help them stay in touch, manage family crises, as well as strengthen and maintain positive relationships. 

CSNSW has established a convenient system for families and friends to electronically deposit money into inmate bank accounts.

Contact coordination and support services

Support is available for families who face hardship in meeting the costs of travel and accommodation when visiting correctional centres a long distance away from their home. For more information, contact the Funded Partnerships Initiative (FPI) team at fpi@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Support and professional services are given to families affected by a death in custody, including funeral expenses subsidised by Chaplaincy Services.

Services for offenders

Video conferencing is offered to offenders in regional communities to assist them to report to their respective Community Corrections office as outlined in their court orders. Legal professionals can also use these facilities to speak with their clients in custody.

Offenders in custody may require assistance with a number of services to address their offending behaviour and deal with other life circumstances. Offenders are either referred to relevant community-based service providers, or directly supported by trained staff members for:

  • fundamental support services to alleviate distress or immediate concerns and address transition needs
  • crisis intervention services to address critical or dangerous problems
  • case management services to facilitate classification and case plan activities
  • rights protection services to uphold prisoners' rights as incarcerated citizens
  • wellbeing/prevention services to promote or maintain healthy lifestyles
  • services relating to specific needs such as disability, mental health, end of life
  • programs to address their offending behaviours including those that impact on their families.

Are you concerned for a loved one’s mental health?

If you are worried about someone’s mental health in custody please call the Justice Health NSW Mental Health Helpline on 1800 222 472.

You can also contact the Correctional Centre directly and request to speak to a Services and Programs Officer (SAPO).

CSNSW approach and collaborations

CSNSW supports integrated and comprehensive service responses, recognising that holistic interventions that target offenders' multiple needs and involve work with offenders' families and the wider community are more likely to be effective in reducing reoffending. This includes active participation in:

  • community reference grou​​ps such as the Throughcare Jigsaw Group, a collaboration of organisations providing broad based services for the benefit of offenders, ex-offenders and their families
  • ​joint resear​ch initiatives with academic institutions and external agencies, both government and non-government.

​Key resources

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