Duty Solicitors for People in Prison

The Legal Services Commission also provides a duty solicitor for people in prison with legal problems.

The duty solicitor can:

The duty solicitor service is available at all correctional institutions in South Australia, including James Nash House upon request.

See more on The Prison Advice Service in the Duty Solicitor Handbook.

Each prison has a local coordinating chaplain. The Principal Chaplain is based at Yatala Labour Prison.

There are around 70 accredited chaplains working in the various prisons across the state.

Prison Chaplaincy Services (PCS) is a multi-faith service and is responsive to all faiths. Prisoners do not need to profess a faith to request help from a chaplain.

Prisoners can speak to an officer to ask for the prison chaplain to visit. The public can contact the chaplains by calling Yatala Labour Prison and asking for the chaplain.

Letters sent by prisoners to the Ombudsman SA and replies from the Ombudsman SA are not subject to censorship [Correctional Services Act 1982 (SA) ss 33(7) and (8)]. However, a prisoner wishing to keep private the contents of a letter from the Ombudsman SA should destroy the letter, as prison authorities have the power to search and remove any object found in a prisoner's possession.

The OARS Community Transitions (OCT) have been assisting prisoners for 130 years. They provide accommodation, employment services, drug rehabilitation, financial counselling and gambling support.

The Prisoner Care Program (PCP) is administered through the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) and supports Aboriginal prisoners and offenders, pre and post release from prisons in South Australia.

The aim of the PCP is to work closely with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander prisoners, to reduce re-offending behaviours that lead back to incarceration.

Aboriginal Case Workers are responsible for delivering pre, during, and post release prisoner care services. The Case Worker develops individual case management plans and a criminogenic needs assessment for clients.

Prisoners are referred from correctional facilities across metropolitan and regional South Australia from lawyers, advocates and Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALOs), Social Workers and professional staff within the Department for Correctional Services (DCS), SA prisons and key agencies working with Aboriginal prisoners and offenders.

Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM)

T: 8113 3777 (24 hour)

1800 643 222 (Free call)

W: www.alrm.org.au

Adelaide

321-325 King William Street

ADELAIDE, SA 5000

Ceduna

Cnr East Terrace and Merghiny Drive

CEDUNA, SA 5690

T: (08) 8113 3799

Port Augusta

12 Church Street

PORT AUGUSTA, SA 5700

T: (08) 8113 3788

A prisoner is able to telephone the Department for Correctional Services Offender Complaint and Advice Line ('OCAL'). The service explains the Department for Correctional Services ('DCS') Complaint Process, informs the prisoner of their rights, and assists the prisoner to resolve the complaint.

Further information about the complaints process can be found on the Department for Correctional Services website (link opens new window)..

Department of Correctional Services (SA)

Telephone Number: (08) 8226 9861

If a prisoner remains unsatisfied with the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) Complaints Process, the prisoner can write to the Executive Director, Community Corrections and Specialist Prisons, the Chief Executive, or lodge a complaint with the SA Ombudsman's office.

Prisoners' Advocacy is an organisation formed to raise awareness of prison issues in the wider community and to encourage and promote prison reform.

The group undertakes research and maintains up to date information about the practical situation of people in South Australian prisons. It welcomes contact from current and former prisoners who have complaints, observations or suggestions about their experiences.