Trained in Architecture at the University of Adelaide, Sarah was a director in her own Architecture and Interior Design practice from 1994 to 2023 when she accepted a senior Associate role with Grieve Gillett Architects as part of a merger.  Her main area of expertise is in Secure Facility Architecture, undertaking over 100 projects in secure facilities in South Australia. In 2010 she undertook a worldwide tour of Women’s Secure Facilities in her role as the Catherine Helen Spence Memorial Scholar, focusing on residential parenting programs. She has worked as a consultant to the South Australian Department for Correctional Services as a design advisor on their major redevelopment programs at the Yatala Labour Prison and Adelaide Women’s Prison and was a member of the Stronger Foundations and Clear Pathways Women’s Ministerial Work Group.

 

Sarah is one of the founding directors of the UTurn Foundation, a not-for-profit social initiative focusing on improving outcomes for incarcerated women on their release from prison, by creating employment pathways into the construction industry. She was part of the team that developed the very successful UTurn Construction Pathways Program at the Adelaide Women’s Prison, a unique program that gave incarcerated women work experience and training on a live construction site within the prison. 
Sarah is passionate about improving conditions for incarcerated women, and focusing on their specific needs to gain better outcomes.

Darian was appointed to the Executive Director, Offender Development role in January 2021. Darian brings to the role a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience. Following a decade in the non-government sector, Darian’s career with the Department commenced as a Community Corrections Officer before progressing to the Manager of Offender Development and then serving as the General Manager for several of the State’s prisons. Darian holds qualifications in social work, correctional administration and management.

 

As Executive Director for Offender Development, Darian leads the Department’s focus on reducing reoffending through the development, operation and evaluation of targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation, education and vocational training programs for people in custody or under community supervision; high quality assessment, sentence planning and case management to support reintegration into the community; and the design, oversight and implementation of strategic policies and projects, such as the 10by20 Strategy. Darian is committed to maintaining a gender responsive approach to the rehabilitation and reintegration of women, champions the Department’s Veterans Strategy and leads on the Department’s work with community partners and volunteers.

 

Prior to his appointment, Darian was the Executive Director of the Better Prisons Program which was a major reform initiative aimed at reducing reoffending and improving the quality, safety and efficiencies of the SA prison system.