Brewarrina (Yetta Dhinnakkal) Centre

Brewarrina (Yetta Dhinnakkal) Centre, an Australian minimum security prison for Aboriginal males, is located in Gongolgon, approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of Brewarrina, New South Wales. The centre is operated by Corrective Services NSW, an agency of the Department of Attorney General and Justice, of the Government of New South Wales. The centre detains sentenced felons under New South Wales and/or Commonwealth legislation.

Brewarrina (Yetta Dhinnakkal) Centre
LocationBrewarrina, New South Wales
Coordinates30.350835°S 146.891024°E / -30.350835; 146.891024
StatusOperational
Security classMinimum
Capacity70
Opened2000[1]
Managed byCorrective Services NSW
GovernorClarrie Dries,
General Manager for Aboriginal Facilities and Services

Yetta Dhinnakkal is an indigenous phrase meaning the right pathway.[1]

Facilities

Alarmed by the rising number of indigenous men being incarcerated in New South Wales prisons, Corrective Services NSW purchased a remote cattle station and transformed it into an outdoor prison, without walls, bars, armed guards, or electric fences.[2] Located on 10,553 hectares (26,080 acres), the centre is a working farming property, maintained by inmates under officer supervision. Opened in 2000, inmates are guided by tribal elders. The centre's behavioural change programs target first time young Aboriginal offenders, aged from 18 to 25, through culturally relevant intensive case management. Vocational training courses are offered in information technology, horticulture, construction, visual arts and contemporary craft.[3][4] Other practical skills, including small motor maintenance, welding, road sealing, building skills, literacy and numeracy and first aid are also provided.[5]

The reoffending rate in 2004 was assessed at 20 per cent, compared with 40 per cent across NSW.[1] In 2005/2006, the centre was awarded the Gold Award at the NSW Premier's Public Sector Awards in the Social Justice Category.[5]

In January 2011, the centre was isolated by flooding waters affecting northern NSW and Queensland.[6] During April 2011, there were five separate escapes from the minimum security centre.[4]

See also

References
  1. Pearlman, Jonathan (17 August 2004). "Freedom in a prison with boundaries, but no walls". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  2. Lee, Tim (11 July 2010). "Don't Fence Me In" (transcript). Landline. Australia: ABCTV. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  3. "Brewarrina (Yetta Dhinnakkal) Centre". Correctional Services NSW. Archived from the original on 20 October 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  4. "Break-out at Brewarrina: Region on lookout for escapees". The Northern Daily Leader. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  5. "NSW Corrections and Indigenous people: Annual Reports". Australian Prisons Project. University of New South Wales. 2005. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  6. "Goodooga prepared for lengthy isolation". ABC News. Australia. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
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