Programs
Bail Support Service (BSS) and Prison In-Reach Legal Service (PIR)
The objective of the Bail Support Service/Prison In-Reach Legal Service (BSS/PIR) is to reduce avoidable remand by providing eligible adult clients earlier access to bail through creating suitable bail plans or helping to identify surety options.
BSS/PIR support eligible clients who are on bail by helping clients comply with their bail conditions as well as supporting clients’ general needs such as:
- assistance locating accommodation;
- referrals for counselling and employment/training; and
- help to access mental health and NDIS supports.
The Bail Support Service operates in Perth and Broome. Eligible clients for Perth are ALSWA clients who have matters in the Perth Magistrates Court and Perth District Court and, for Broome, ALSWA clients who have matters in the Broome or Derby Magistrates Court and District Court.
24/7 Custody Notification Service (CNS)
The Custody Notification Service (CNS) is a phone support service operating state-wide 24 hours per day, seven days per week that supports Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons (adults and children) who have been arrested or apprehended by WA Police and detained in a police facility (irrespective of the reason).
The main objectives of the CNS are to prevent or reduce Aboriginal deaths in police custody; prevent or reduce harm suffered by Aboriginal people in police custody; and protect the legal rights of Aboriginal people in police custody.
CNS Lawyers and Aboriginal Support Workers are trained to carefully respond to the concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and they will do everything they can to ensure police meet their duty of care to Aboriginal people taken into custody by:
- conducting a thorough and culturally competent welfare check;
- providing appropriate early fundamental legal advice; and
- referring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the most appropriate services to address ongoing welfare and legal needs.
Under the Police Force Amendment Regulations 2019 (WA), which commenced on 2 October 2019, WA Police are required to phone the CNS every time an Aboriginal person is detained in a police facility throughout the state.
WA Police are required under the Regulations to phone the CNS and advise the CNS staff member of the name of the person detained. They are also required to advise the CNS why that person has been arrested or apprehended; the name and contact details of the Responsible Officer; whether the detainee is likely to be released on bail (if arrested for an offence) and, if not, where that person will be taken; and other relevant details.
The WA Police must provide a reasonable opportunity for the detainee to speak with the CNS staff member, and the responsible officer must make themselves available to speak with the CNS staff member after the phone communication between the CNS and the detainee has finished.
Click here to view the CNS Complaint Management and Review Policy.
Custody Wellbeing Service (CWS)
Located in the Perth Watch House, the Custody Wellbeing Service (CWS) provides in-person culturally secure support to Aboriginal people detained at the Perth Watch House.
The Aboriginal CWS support workers assist detainees by:
- identifying immediate medical and other wellbeing needs;
- providing cultural counselling and mentoring;
- providing referrals to ALSWA services (for legal needs and supports) and to external services (where appropriate);
- supporting and facilitating contact with the detainee’s family and/or other support persons as required.
The CWS Support Workers work onsite at the Perth Watch House from Monday to Thursday 12pm to 8pm.
Family and Domestic Violence Hubs/Healing Services
ALSWA supports two Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Hubs/Healing Services: Waullo Dawn Healing Service and the Koolark Healing Service; and Mara Pirni Healing Place.
The Waullo Dawn Healing Service and the Koolark Healing Service are located in Armadale and operated by Hope Community Services Limited in partnership with Yorgum Healing Services, Ngala, Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services, Women’s Legal Service WA, Marmum Mia-Mia Aboriginal Corporation, 360 Health, Ruah Community Services and ALSWA.
ALSWA provides a lawyer at the hub to provide legal advice and assistance to hub clients as well as referrals to other appropriate legal services where ALSWA is unable to assist.
In Kalgoorlie, the Mara Pirni Healing Place is operated by Hope Community Services Limited in partnership with Wanslea Family Services, Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation (NTP), One Tree Community Services and ALSWA. The ALSWA paralegal at the hub provides legal information to clients at the hub including warm referrals to appropriate legal assistance providers as well as undertaking community legal education.
Old Ways New Ways (OWNW)
ALSWA leads the consortium for ‘Old Ways New Ways’ (OWNW), working collaboratively with Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Corporation, Stephen Michael Foundation Ltd and Hope Community Services Ltd.
OWNW is a justice reinvestment initiative designed to break the cycle of youth offending in the metropolitan region of Western Australia.
OWNW commenced in October 2024 and is currently funded under the National Justice Reinvestment Program until 30 June 2026.
The program includes culturally secure holistic case management as well as separate educational activity courses for males and females one day per week during school terms, on-country camps and community throughcare support via community hubs and mentors.
The aim of the program is to address the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system, by assisting and supporting Aboriginal young people who are involved in or at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system.
Contact Details:
Website: oldwaysnewways.org.au
Email: ownw@als.org.au
Phone: 0488 085 654
Work and Development Permit Service (WDP)
The Work and Development Permit (WDP) Scheme is an alternative way for people experiencing hardship to pay down court fine debt. It is delivered in partnership with the Department of Justice, ALSWA and Legal Aid WA.
Under a WDP, a person can engage in a wide variety of programs, services, treatments and activities with support agencies (known as WDP Sponsors) and pay off their court fines at the same time.
ALSWA provides a WDP Service to support existing and potential culturally secure WDP Sponsors, as well as providing fines related advice to Aboriginal people and links to sponsors.
Youth Engagement Program
The Youth Engagement Program (YEP) provides holistic, culturally secure, individualised and flexible support to ALSWA clients appearing in the Perth, Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Geraldton, Halls Creek, Kununurra, Mullewa, and Wyndham Children’s Courts.
YEP Diversion Officers provide a range of support and services including:
- mentoring;
- court support;
- advocacy;
- referrals to external services;
- case management;
- transport assistance;
- support at appointments with various external agencies including Youth Justice Services;
- accommodation assistance;
- assistance to reengage in education and/or training;
- support to attend medical appointments and check-ups;
- practical help (such as obtaining birth certificates, Medicare cards, bank accounts and Centrelink payments); and
- participation in cultural and recreational activities.
The six YEP sites are YEP-M (YEP Metro), YEP-WK (YEP West Kimberley), YEP-EK (YEP East Kimberley), YEP-HC (YEP Halls Creek), YEP-FC (YEP Fitzroy Crossing) and YEP-GER (YEP Geraldton).