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PORT ADELAIDE'S community development arm Power Community Ltd will implement its Wellbeing and Resilience program in South Australian correctional facilities with the support of the Department for Correctional Services.

Based on Power Community Ltd's successful Power to be Positive program, which works with defence family children, the Wellbeing and Resilience program will aim to equip offenders with skills to respond in a positive manner when confronted with adverse situations.

In doing so, the Wellbeing and Resilience program should help to reduce the rate of community offending, while delivering on Port Adelaide's social responsibility charter, according to chief executive Keith Thomas.

“Our Wellbeing and Resilience program has developed life changing skills in young people from ADF families and we’re confident it can be just as effective in the correctional services system,” he said.

“We all face setbacks in life, but it’s the way we react to those difficult situations that can make an enormous difference to the outcome.

“If we can work with people in the prison system to build their confidence, enhance their wellbeing and equip them with tools of resilience, we believe that will hold them in good stead the next time they’re faced with a situation that could potentially land them in trouble.”

The Wellbeing and Resilience program will run in conjunction with the SA Health and Medical Research Institute and the Department for Correctional Services. 

The Minister for Correctional Services, Peter Malinauskas, says partnerships with community organisations and stakeholders are essential to reducing the rate of reoffending in South Australia.

“The current rate of reoffending is 46%, with over 75% of our current prison population having been in prison before,” he said.

“Programs such as this are vital in helping achieve the State Government’s target of reducing reoffending by 10% by 2020.

“Many offenders have multiple and complex needs, including mental health issues, behavioural issues, addiction, or an acute risk of suicide or self-harm.

“Responding to these complex needs will mean less crime, victims, and expense to the taxpayer.”

The Wellbeing and Resilience Program will operate in the Yatala, Mobilong, Port Lincoln and Port Augusta prisons, the Cadell Training Centre and the Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Holden Hill, Elizabeth & Gawler Community Corrections Centres.