The culture amongst correctional staff and incarcerated people within Australian prisons is generally based on adversity and tension. The role of the prison officer is primarily associated with ensuring safety and security within the prison. This acts as a counter-current against establishing a therapeutic space within the prison that encourages participation in rehabilitation. A balance between the two, whereby safety and security and offender rehabilitation are seen with equal significance, is difficult to achieve.
We argue that a two-pronged community cohesion program, titled ‘Between the Blue and Green’ can build better relationships between prison staff and incarcerated people. We propose a separate program for new recruits and existing prison staff to build mutual understanding and respect. Community cohesion requires all parties to participate, therefore, an education program that includes staff and incarcerated people should be undertaken.
We discuss a series of activities with which to educate new and current prison officers and people incarcerated alike, in the reality of their identity as a human and as a participant within this microcosm. The program methodology is designed to promote self-efficacy, equality, and collaboration. While the roles between prisoner officer and prisoner have firm boundaries, there are many aspects within the realms of common benefits which affect the sense of community and can be explored and experienced through sharing experiences and engaging in exercises.
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Dr Marietta Martinovic
Associate Professor, RMIT University, Australia
Dr Marietta Martinovic, (PhD, MA, APA, BA CJA) is an Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice in the School of Global, Urban, and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. Over two decades she has received multiple University Teaching and national awards. In partnership with Corrections Victoria, she started the first and only Australian Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program in Australia; it simultaneously engages university students and incarcerated people in studying ‘comparative criminal justice systems’. Research has indicated that these learning and teaching experiences have been transformative for all students. She is a winner of multiple teaching awards. She has established and is leading five prison-based Think Tanks and one community-based Think Tank which consult with government departments, non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups to provide nuanced perspectives on complex issues which affect people experiencing the CJS. She is recognized for transformative learning in prison settings and developing opportunities for the inclusion of lived criminal justice experience in policy making.
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Nicola Guthrie-Smith
Principle Project Officer, Queensland Corrective, Australia
Nicola Guthrie-Smith has worked within the corrections system for nearly 10 years, having started as a prison officer before moving into managing programs and education with the Department of Justice and Community Services in Victoria, Australia. She was recently appointed to the position of Assistant Director Detainee Services at the Alexander Maconochie Centre with ACT Corrective Services.
Nicola has worked in the field of rehabilitation of blind and vision impaired people for nearly 15 years before moving into the corrections system. Over the years she has developed a passion for studying ways in which the human brain can be rewired and has recently completed study in the neuroscience of leadership.
In addition, Nicola has worked alongside Professor Martinovic to facilitate the Inside Out Prison Exchange Program and prison-based Think Tank, and has been a strong advocate for including prisoners in the development and implementation of supportive programs within the prison system.
