Contacts and Resources

Contributed by Lorana Bartels and Caroline Doyle. Current to December 2021.

There are a range of services available to detainees once they are released from the AMC. Some of these services include:

• Aboriginal Legal Service assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children through representation in court, advice and information, and referral to further support services. Contact (02) 9213 4100.
• ACT Corrective Services Extended Throughcare Program is a voluntary program that aims to promote and contribute to community safety through coordinating community resources to support eligible detainees leaving the AMC. Eligibility is determined by time in custody and support can be available for up to 12 months post release. Contact (02) 6205 5055 or throughcare@act.gov.au to check eligibility or access support.
• ADACAS (the ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service provides free independent advocacy for people with disabilities, older people and their carers. Contact (02) 6242 5060 or adacas@adacas.org.au.
• Argyle House Ainslie Village provides accommodation to both men and women. Eligibility is income based. Contact 1300 274 953 or ainslievillage@argylehousing.com.au
• Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA) promotes the health and human rights of people who use, or have used, illicit drugs. Contact (02) 6253 3643 or info@cahma.org.au.
• Canberra Community Law provides a range of legal services for released detainees. Contact (02) 6218 7900
• Care Financial Counselling provides free, independent and confidential professional financial counsellors. Contact 1800 007 007 or admin@cafefcs.org
• CatholicCare provide intensive outreach for Throughcare clients who require additional support post release. Referrals via Throughcare; contact details above.
• Directions Pathways to Recovery provides treatment and support to people impacted by alcohol, drugs and other addictions. Contact: (02) 6132 4800 or reception@directionshealth.com.
• Early Morning Centre provides food, essential services, support and community activities, focusing on individual needs. Contact (02) 6247 5041 or emc@canberracityuca.org.au
• Everyman Australia provides counselling, disability support, Indigenous, early intervention and violence prevention programs and services. It also includes a program of managed accommodation for single men, with complex needs at risk of homelessness including those who are leaving custody or are involved in the criminal justice system. Contact (02) (02) 6230 6999. Referrals via Throughcare; contact details above.
• Havelock House provides a range of affordable, social and specialist disability housing to assist those in need across the ACT and Southern NSW region. Contact (02) 6257 2277.
• Karralika supports adults and their families in Canberra and surrounding regions who have range of alcohol and drug problems. Contact: (02) 6185 1300 or info@karralika.org.au.
• Legal Aid ACT helps people in the ACT with legal problems, especially people who are socially or economically disadvantaged. Contact (02) 6243 3411 or legalaid@legalaidact.org.au
• Lesley's Place Drug and Alcohol Residential and OutReach Service provides supported accommodation for up to three months and outreach support for women experiencing alcohol and drug problems. Contact (02) 6241 7233 or TooraAdmin@toora.org.au.
• Marzenna House is a drug and alcohol service, providing alcohol and drug treatment and support in a residential setting for women. Marzenna House offers longer support before returning to the wider community. Contact (02) 6241 7233 or TooraAdmin@toora.org.au
• OneLink provides information and connections for support services in the ACT including but not limited to child youth and family services, counselling, tenancy support and emergency accommodation. Onelink accepts referrals from ACT Corrective Services to assist with finding emergency, short term or transitional accommodation for clients in the community or detainees exiting the AMC. Onelink can refer clients to services such as Samaritan House, Minosa House, Karinya House, Toora, and EveryMan Australia. Contact 1800 176 468 or info@onelink.org.au
• Prisoners Aid ACT offers support to detainees and their visitors. Prisoners Aid ACT assists in providing social and some financial support to help detainees and their families upon release. Contact: (02) 6257 4866 or info@paact.org.au
• Safe Shelter ACT provides free, basic, warm and emergency overnight shelter for adult men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. No referral, assessment, booking or payment is required. Contact: safeshelteract@gmail.com
• Salvation Army Canberra Recovery Services (CRS) is a residential alcohol and drug treatment service for adults operated by the Salvation Army. Contact 13 72 58
• Samaritan House is a 13 bed, crisis accommodation program for men between 18 and 65 years. Referrals for accommodation and support via Onelink (contact details above).
• Shine for Kids provides support for children, young people and families with relatives in the criminal system. Contact: (02) 9714 3000 or inquiries@shineforkids.org.au.
• Street Law assists individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Street Law provides legal advice and casework assistance and connect clients with other services. Contact: (02) 6218 7900 or streetlaw@canberracommunitylaw.org.au
• Red Cross Road House provides a space for people to enjoy a free meal and receive support with ‘drop in’ services. Contact: (02) 6234 7600 or actinfo@redcross.org.au
• The Farm is located in country NSW. It supports women who have completed rehabilitation and other drug misuse and wish to consolidate their recovery. Contact: (02) 6386 7275 or office@galongfarm.org
• Thread Together sources new and excess clothing from fashion retailers and redistributes it to people who are socially or economically disadvantaged. Contact info@threadtogether.org
• Toora Coming Home Program assists women, 16 years and older, with or without children who have been incarcerated or who are exiting the AMC. The Coming Home Program provides outreach support such as support with building living skills and assistance with drug and alcohol support and trauma counselling. Referrals via Justice and Community Safety Directorate 13 22 81.
• Wellways Detention Exit Community Outreach Program is a recovery-focused outreach program supporting people diagnosed with a mental illness, who are exiting detention, to transition back into the community. Contact 1300 111 400 or enquiries@wellways.org
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service offers a wide range of clinical and social health services and programs. Contact (02) 6284 6222.
• Women's Legal Centre provides legal assistance to women with a focus on family law, victims of crime, employment and discrimination. Contact: (02) 6257 4377 or admin@wlc.org.au
• Yeddung Mura provide case management and outreach services to Indigenous males exiting the AMC. Yeddung Mura aim to relieve disadvantage amongst the Indigenous community by providing 'good pathways' to clients facing unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Contact: 1800 864 663
• A Gender Agenda provides outreach services and TGD+I referral support. Contact: support@genderrights.org.au or (02) 6162 1924
• Meridian provides health and support services to the community. Contact:contact@meridianact.org.au or(02) 6257 2855