January January 2020

Transcription

1 January - January 2020

2 Contents MD s Message... 1 GEO s Vision for Reconciliation... 3 Where we operate... 5 Our Business... 6 Our RAP... 6 Our partnerships/current activities... 7 Relationships... 8 Respect Opportunities Governance Tracking Progress... 13

3 Message from our Managing Pieter Bezuidenhout As Australia s leading provider of outsourced correctional services, the GEO Group Australia Pty Ltd (GEO) is committed to the local communities in which we operate but also the wider Australian environment. Focused on delivering safe secure facilities within an environment of respect, courage dignity, we are proud of the relationships that we have fostered over our 26 year history in Australia with our broad range of stakeholders, alliance partners, staff, prisoners Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler communities. At the leading edge of service development delivery, our ethos of delivering Better Corrections contributing to Safer Communities drives our passion ensuring that GEO is a responsible corporate citizen. As an organisation committed to diversity in our business, we take seriously the need to increase the representation of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler people amongst our staff take a generational approach to ensure that we are increasing that representation over time. Pieter Bezuidenhout Managing 1

4 The l is my backbone I only st straight, happy, proud not ashamed about my colour because I still have l I think of l as the history of my nation. Galarrwuy Yunipingu, Aboriginal musician 2

5 GEO s vision for reconciliation GEO aspires to positively contribute to Australia s reconciliation journey encourages all of its employees to embrace respect the cultures contributions of our Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler peoples recognise that true lasting reconciliation improves prosperity for all Australians. We recognise the rich history cultures of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler Australians in our country we are committed to contributing to reducing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler non-aboriginal Torres Strait Isler Australians. As such our diverse workforce, positions us favourably to support our vision for reconciliation our proposed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) activity. We hope that our RAP will provide a platform for innovation creativity when working in partnership with our local Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler communities, organisations government to identify develop holistic solutions within our capability that will positively impact on opportunities for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler communities. 3

6 ustralians are hungry to A learn more about their own (Aboriginal) people It s cool to see that people want healing. Warwick Thornton, Aboriginal director 4

7 Where we operate GUNAIKURNI Fulham Correctional Centre Manager YUGGERA Cultural Advisor RAP Champion Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre Manager Cultural Advisor RAP Champion KULIN Ravenhall Correctional Centre Manager WIRADJURI Junee Correctional Centre Manager Cultural Advisor RAP Champion Cultural Advisor RAP Champion 5

8 Our Business Our Business GEO s core business is the delivery of correctional services, focussed on safe secure custody the reduction of reoffending through rehabilitation reintegration. We operate four correctional centres are responsible for the care custody of over 4,500 prisoners. We provide custody, welfare, education, program logistical services. Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler Peoples are over-represented in the Australian prison population, with between 25% 30% of the prisoners in the correctional centres we operate identifying as such. We employ 2,031 correctional professionals, including correctional officers, educators, forensic clinicians, health practitioners community support specialists. Within our team are 37 Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler employees. GEO operates across Australia. GEO is headquartered in Sydney New South Wales, operates correctional facilities in Victoria, New South Wales Queensl. Our RAP GEO is developing a RAP to increase awareness better underst of the priorities potentials of our Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler employees, through these achieve a unified organisational identity, with a corresponding benefit of supporting better correctional outcomes for the prisoners in our care. GEO has operated a limited range of reconciliation initiatives for employees, including recruitment policies, accessing Federal initiatives delivering pre-employment training programs to support the recruitment of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler employees. GEO s reconciliation initiatives for prisoners are highly developed, with employee training, venues, leadership, community partnerships, culturally safe activities opportunities, recognition of significant events. Prisoner-focussed initiatives are the primary way GEO supports reconciliation organisationally. The RAP is championed by the Managing, the, the of the four correctional centres we operate. GEO s RAP was developed by the Contact Person from a plan progressed by a previous. 6

9 Our partnerships/current activities GEO s community partnerships are highly developed. As part of our service to the prisoners in our care, GEO partners with a range of community organisations that assist in providing opportunities for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler prisoners. These include education, training, employment, programs, rehabilitation reintegration services. GEO s XIT180 Program proved successful in gaining post-release employment for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler prisoners, whilst the Colourful Dreaming art initiative Andrew Krakouer s It s Your Time helped re-engage these prisoners with their culture. GEO s internal activities/initiatives comprise vibrant successful suite of events venues aimed primarily towards the prisoners in our care. These include cultural centres, celebrations, culturally-referenced programs activities, participation in national reconciliation events. Hosted in each correctional centre s cultural centre including Junee Correctional Centre s exceptional Yarramundi Cultural Hub GEO s cultural calendar includes NAIDOC Week, Polyfest, a vibrant schedule of art music events. 7

10 Relationships ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY Establish a RAP Working Group Build internal external relationships Participate in celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) Form a Group [RAP-WG] that is operational to support the implementation of our RAP, comprising of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler peoples decision-making staff from across our organisation Jan Appoint a Jan Managing Review existing partnerships with Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler peoples, communities organisations Develop a list of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler peoples, communities organisations within our local area or sphere of influence that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey Review revise existing partnerships with suppliers, subcontractors rehabilitation reintegration partners to ensure they fit with GEO s RAP objectives Review existing partnerships with RAP organisations other like-minded organisations to align the relationship with GEO s RAP objectives Develop a list of RAP organisations other likeminded organisations that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey Review existing NRW event schedule at sites Revise NRW event schedule (if required) Encourage our staff to attend a NRW event Circulate Reconciliation Australia s NRW resources reconciliation materials to our staff Ensure our Group participates in an external event to recognise celebrate NRW 8

11 4 5 ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY Raise internal external awareness of our RAP Seek engage stakeholders in our RAP Brief senior personnel (Managing, s (sites) on the RAP Raise external awareness of our RAP Hold staff briefing sessions on the RAP Hold Internal Launch Event Develop implement a plan to raise awareness amongst all staff across the organisation about our RAP commitments Embed RAP commitments in existing staff communication systems Develop implement a plan to engage inform key internal stakeholders of their responsibilities within our RAP Embed RAP objectives into existing prisoner communication systems Encourage our commercial partners to engage in their own RAP journey Align our commercial partners RAP actions with ours to maximise opportunities outcomes Jun Jun Jun Jun Industries Industries 9

12 Respect 6 7 ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY Investigate Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler cultural learning development Participate in celebrate NAIDOC Week Develop a business case for increasing awareness of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler cultures, histories achievements within our organisation Capture data measure our staff s current level of knowledge understing of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler cultures, histories achievements Conduct a review of cultural awareness training needs within our organisation Communicate encourage all staff to use Reconciliation Australia s Share Our Pride online tool Investigate cultural immersion programs Jun Review existing NAIDOC Week event schedule at sites Revise NAIDOC Week event schedule (if required) Raise awareness share information amongst our staff of the meaning of NAIDOC Week which includes information about the local Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler peoples communities July July July National Training Manager National of Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting community events in our local area July Ensure our Group participates in an external NAIDOC Week event July 10

13 ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY Raise internal understing of Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler cultural protocols Review processes for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler prisoners to enhance cultural safety Celebrate/ recognise Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler dates of significance Reconfirm existing relationships with Traditional Owners Seek implement guidance from Traditional Owners as to existing protocols Explore who the Traditional Owners are of the ls waters in our local area Scope develop a list of local Traditional Owners of the ls waters within our organisations sphere of influence Develop implement a plan to raise awareness understing of the meaning significance behind Acknowledgement of Country Welcome to Country protocols (including any local cultural protocols) Review site responses in their application of the applicable mated death/funeral stard operating procedure, other familial events of significance Review rehabilitation reintegration activities for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler prisoners to ensure accessibility cultural safety Review ( remediate if required) site infrastructure to best facilitate cultural activities (including art, music, story-telling, celebration food preparation) for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler prisoners Include Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler dates of significance on internal calendars circulate to staff Promote local community events to staff which recognise these dates of significance Jun 11

14 Opportunities ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY Investigate Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler employment Investigate Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler supplier diversity Review existing employment strategy for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler staff Develop a business case for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler employment within our organisation Identify current Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler staff to inform future employment development opportunities Investigate an internal Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler professional mentoring /or secondment network Investigate Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler employment pathways (e.g. traineeships or internships) Support Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler leadership Pursue Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler prisoner employment initiatives Review existing procurement strategy for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler businesses Develop an understing of the mutual benefits of procurement from Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler owned businesses Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler owned businesses Investigate opportunities to become a member of Supply Nation Jun Jun Jun Jun Commercial Commercial Commercial Commercial 12

15 13 14 ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY Leverage existing community support to further the reach of our RAP journey Investigate opportunities to support Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler students Review existing scholarship/donation regime for opportunities to support reconciliation Investigate opportunities to increase pro bono activities with Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler organisations communities including through industries Support scholarships for Aboriginal Torres Strait Isler students Jul Governance Tracking Progress ACTION DELIVERABLE TIMELINE RESPONSIBILITY 15 Build support for the RAP Define resource needs for RAP development implementation Jan Define systems capability needs to track, measure report on RAP activities Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire submit to Reconciliation Australia Sep 16 Review Refresh RAP Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges achievements Sep Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for review Oct Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement Jan

16 HEAD OFFICE Level ket Street, Sydney New South Wales 2000 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) GEO Group Australia contact details for public enquiries about our RAP. Name: Tim McLean Position: Assistant, Special Projects Phone: (02)