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Karralika Justice Services (KJS) provides community-based Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselling Services for adults linked with the criminal justice system. Funding provided by CHN to Karralika Programs supports the employment of one counsellor to deliver the service.
Now in its sixth year of operation, KJS continues to grow and maintain its reputation in the Justice Services sector. New referrals increased from 27 (in 2020/21) to 127 over the last year. This is largely as a result of the successful recruitment of an experienced specialist AOD Counsellor, which was historically a hard role to fill. The Counsellor continues to attend the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), Community Corrections Office, Everyman and Domestic Violence Crisis Service on a regular basis. This arrangement has produced positive client outcomes as it provides the opportunity for a collaborative effort in support of client goals.
In the last year, Karralika also employed a Case Manager to provide participants engaging in Justice Counselling with case management and case coordination services.
An evaluation conducted by the Australian National University found that the Justice Services Counselling Program resulted in significant reductions in both client severity of substance use, dependence and psychological distress.
Karralika Justice Counselling Service is addressing specialist AOD use needs for those in contact with the justice system through flexible models of care.
Client story
Darcy* (not their real name) has long-term issues with daily alcohol and cannabis use, bipolar disorder, gambling and financial issues. He has been homeless and couch surfing for the past four years and was recently incarcerated for five months. His short-term goals included minimising harm from AOD use, abstaining from gambling and securing emergency accommodation. His long-term goals included reconnecting with his young daughter and gaining employment.
Counselling sessions with Darcy focussed on current risks and needs regarding physical and mental health, AOD use, and re-offending, providing emotional support, exploring AOD use, harm minimisation and psychoeducation. They also focussed on safely rebuilding family relationships, and practical ways to keep track of appointments and finances. Service was maintained during the lockdown by providing phone sessions.
Darcy’s mental health has remained stable, he has not gambled and his AOD consumption is significantly lower with periods of abstinence up to one week. He has also been complying with all of his parole conditions. He’s engaged with Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS) and in the process of being assessed for supervised visits with his daughter.
Darcy provided feedback that he gains positive benefit from the ongoing support. He believes that his engagement with Karralika Justice Service’s counselling has been pivotal in supporting him to secure accommodation in a flat and gain a positive outcome with CYPS. He feels that the emotional support gives him the confidence and energy to make better choices and take action. Over the past several months, Darcy has achieved all of his short-term goals. He is absolutely thrilled with his new flat, has begun creating a lovely bedroom for his daughter and has hope for a positive future.
