Launch of the Driver Education and Training Program at Alice Springs Correctional Centre – Northern Territory Correctional Services, Australia

On 17 September 2003, the Honourable Peter Toyne MLA, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Northern Territory Government, Australia, launched the Driver Education and Training Program at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre.

The new program is aimed at reducing re-offending amongst prisoners convicted of driving offences by providing training and the means to gain a drivers licence prior to their release from prison.

In the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, 65% of prisoners have a current or prior driving offence on their record and a large number of these have never held a driver’s licence.  For indigenous prisoners from remote communities in the Northern Territory, the program provides access to training and the ability to gain a licence, which is difficult for them to access in a remote locality.

The program was developed collaboratively between the Alice Springs Correctional Centre management and education and programs staff, the Northern Territory Motor Vehicle Registry, Tangentyere Council, Hanson Training Services, the Road Safety Council of the Northern Territory and Drug and Alcohol Services, Alice Springs.  The Superintendent of the Alice Springs Correctional Centre donated a training vehicle which was made roadworthy and converted to dual control by prisoners under the instruction of the Chief Industries Officer, Mechanical.

To date a total of 220 prisoners have expressed an interest in the program however 99 of those will need to complete a drink driving course.  Negotiations are currently underway to establish this course within the prison.