The Department of Justice recognises the importance of maintaining family relationships and links with community to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our care.
The Aboriginal Visitors Scheme (AVS) was established in WA in 1988, pursuant to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The AVS provides support and counselling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees and prisoners in prisons and juvenile detention centres in WA. They play an important role in reducing the risk of incidents of self-harm.
Aboriginal Visitors and Elders
Aboriginal Visitors and Elders are Department of Justice employees, who are dedicated to working solely with the Aboriginal prison population. AVS staff are located at Department of Justice prisons and youth detention facilities within Western Australia (Monday – Friday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm).
The AVS is part of the Department’s Strategic Reform Division, which provides strategic advice on the Department’s Aboriginal justice policy initiatives and leads a range of Statewide Aboriginal initiatives.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Department’s care are able to request a visit onsite, or contact the AVS via the Free call number, and an Aboriginal Visitor or Elder will meet to yarn and ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the person in care.
AVS provides assistance to the Aboriginal community via the AVS Free call 1800 number where there are concerns reported about the social and emotional wellbeing of prisoners and detainees in custody. The AVS phone service operates during business hours and afterhours.
Contact details
Free call: 1800 282 429
Email: AVS@justice.wa.gov.au
Aboriginal services
The Aboriginal Benchbook for Western Australian Courts contains information for the judiciary to alert them to cross-cultural issues which may arise in the conduct of court proceedings involving aboriginal people. The Benchbook is also a useful resource for any person involved in such proceedings.
The Benchbook was written by Ms Stephanie Fryer-Smith and published by the Australasian Institute for Judicial Management (AIJA).
Aboriginal Mediation Service
The Aboriginal Mediation Service (AMS) aim is to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to resolve conflicts before they escalate into violence or result in court action, by providing an effective and culturally appropriate dispute resolution service.
Level 23, David Malcolm Justice Centre
28 Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: 61 8 9264 6176
Freecall: 1800 045 577
Email: aboriginalmediationservice@justice.wa.gov.au
