NALU CHALLENGE COMMUNITY

Nalu is a 68-bed unit that has two streams of prisoners. The first stream focuses on young first time offenders who are assessed to participate in an intensive therapy and adventure-based challenge program. A strong emphasis is also placed on developing living skills, work skills and pre and post release preparation and support. The second stream focuses on living and work skills and direct assistance to ease the transition from custody to community.

The commissioning of the Nalu Challenge Community was part of the State Government’s Correctional Infrastructure Program to enhance the overall capacity of Victoria’s corrections system.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 22 May 2002 and the first prisoners were received into Nalu on 3 June 2003.

Nalu is an Aboriginal term meaning “together”. The motto for the facility, Dyettyan Nalu Yungai, is also of an Aboriginal context meaning “Stand Together Youngsters”.

Nalu has been purposely designed and built to include areas for the delivery of offender treatment programs.

Research indicates that younger offenders benefit from program interventions combining cognitive-behavioural therapy with practical life-skills and physical adventure challenges. The Fulham program is the first in Victoria to explore whether this concept can be effective in Victorian prisons.

Program overview

The program is of a 16 week duration comprising four, four-week phases. Each phase progressively builds on knowledge and skills learned in the preceding phases.

Phase 1 Prisoners participate in induction, assessment and goal setting.

Phase 2 Prisoners undertake a daily program of life-skill and adventure challenges, substance abuse and education programs. There is no dedicated industry at Nalu — instead prisoners participate in community work projects, on average two days per week.

Phase 3 Prisoners are confronted with personal challenges and have newly acquired skills tested in a range of natural environment situations such as bushwalking and bush survival simulations. Evidence indicates self-confidence and personal resilience can be built and transferred to real-life situations such as resisting drug use and negative peer group pressures.

Phase 4 Prisoners prepare for release and are linked with post-release support.

A second stream of prisoners has recently been introduced to Nalu to increase the numbers of the unit.

1. Target group
Generally 18 - 25 year old, C-rated male prisoners.
Prisoners will not be accepted onto the program with an active IDU status.
Corrections Victoria’s Sentence Management Unit will assess prisoners for suitability.

2. Program staff
A team comprising a psychologist, a senior counsellor and recreation and education staff oversee the program.

3. Implementation arrangements
An implementation committee was established by Corrections Victoria to manage the establishment of the program. This committee includes the deputy director, Projects and Services, SMU and Fulham Correctional Centre staff.