Going into custody

Arriving at the Alexander Maconochie Centre

The Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) is a correctional centre for adults of all genders.

You will be in the AMC if you are:

• refused bail, so are staying in custody, this is called on remand
• sentenced to a period of detention by the courts.

You will be transported securely from court to the AMC.

Admission process

When you arrive at the AMC you will be admitted. All detainees go through the same process. You will:

• have your identity confirmed and photograph taken
• have a body scan and/or strip search
• be drug tested
• get a full health assessment including a mental health assessment
• be risk assessed to understand any special needs
• be placed in the induction unit for assessment for placement into accommodation areas within the AMC.

You will also be able to make one telephone call and attend to your personal hygiene.

Clothing and property

Anything you have with you when you arrive is searched, recorded and processed. Depending on what you bring, the items are returned to you, stored or disposed of.

Personal clothing is stored, and you will be given standard clothing items.

Your money is put into a trust account and can be used to buy a range of goods and grocery items.

You can return your property to a family member or friend. If your request is approved, we will contact the nominated person so they can collect it.

Family or friends may drop off pre-approved clothing items for you. You will be provided a list of approved items during the induction process.

Induction

You will be given an induction to help explain what life is like in the AMC. You will be given a handbook with details of support available to you while in custody.

Many topics are covered, including:

• rules and routines, and what happens if you do not follow these
• where you will live and what you are entitled to
• contact with friends and family
• what your rights are
• support you will get
• access to healthcare
• opportunities for work and education programs.

If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the Cultural Services Team will arrange to speak with you.

Detainee wellbeing

Health services

You will get a full health assessment when you arrive at the AMC, including a mental health assessment.

Other health care services you will get include:

• regular health checks
• timely or urgent treatment as required
• specialist health services including dentists, forensic psychiatrists and optometrists.

If you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, you can also access an Indigenous-specific holistic primary health service. This is provided by Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services.

If you need health care that cannot be provided at the AMC, you will be transferred to the health facility that is recommended by a health professional.

Smoke-free

For the health and wellbeing of everyone the AMC is a smoke-free environment.

There is no smoking on the site and this applies to all staff and visitors as well as detainees.

Support to stop smoking

When you are first taken into custody we can give you nicotine lozenges to help with withdrawal symptoms.

During the induction process you can request to go on the 12-week Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) program.

If you have questions or need more information about stopping smoking or the NRT program you will be able to speak to:

• Quitline
• Justice Health Services
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services

Chaplaincy

You can practice a recognised religion or belief and have access to:

• religious materials
• areas for prayer or contemplation
• access to religious visitors where possible.

A chaplaincy service is provided to:

• meet your pastoral needs
• deliver religious services and provide religious, ethical and spiritual guidance
• promote an understanding of diversity and the range of cultures and their related traditions.

Recreation

You can use the multi-purpose recreation centre and oval, including a gym, basketball court and football ground.

There is a roster to make sure everyone can use the recreation centre and oval.

Library

You will be able to use the library. Library resources include:

• a wide range of reading materials
• approved magazines and journals
• books for non-English speaking detainees
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and historical material
• access to ACT Corrective Services policies and procedures
• reference books and legal resources to help with legal defence and litigation
• resources to assist the vision and hearing impaired.

The Library has a range of services and supports including study support and computers.

Staying connected to friends and family

You will be supported to stay in contact with family and friends through:

• in person visits
• online video conferencing
• email
• telephone
• mail.

Contact will be monitored and can be restricted.

Women detainees

The AMC houses both men and women. They are in separate areas of the correctional centre.

You will be housed with a small group of other women, with shared living and kitchen areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander detainee at the AMC you will have access to a range of cultural supports.

There are regular visits from Elders and Indigenous Liaison Officers will help you stay connected to family and country.

You will also be able to use primary health services through Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services.

Work, programs and education opportunities

There are different work opportunities available to you while you are at the AMC to give you the chance to:

• learn new skills
• build confidence
• give back to the community.

There are also programs to support your wellbeing and rehabilitation while in custody and when you leave.

Work

Taking part in work activities will give you skills and experience to help you get a job when you leave the AMC. Some activities can lead to qualifications, and you will also get paid for the time you spend working.

Types of work include:

• bakery
• barista
• cleaning of accommodation areas
• grounds keeping and maintenance
• horticulture
• kitchen and laundry
• painting.

Education

You will be offered a range of education and training opportunities to help you get a job when you leave the AMC.

We work with you to identify your educational or vocational needs and goals. Education services include:

• literacy and numeracy support
• foundational qualifications
• vocational training.

You will have access to computers to support your learning as required.

Programs

You will have access to a wide range of programs which are offered to you based on:

• your sentence management plan
• your risk, need and ability to take part
• your willingness to respond to the program.

Programs offered include:

• preparation programs to help you get used to the group work environment
• offence specific programs to address offending behaviour
• offence related programs, which provide support if you also use alcohol and other drugs
• wellbeing programs, which centre around mental health and personal development.

Transitional release program

Transitional release is short-term leave from custody to support a detainee to reintegrate into the community. It can include:

• family and community ties leave
• educational leave
• work experience leave.

Minimum security detainees can apply to attend activities outside the AMC that support their gradual return to the community. This is one way to support a detainee's rehabilitation and prevent reoffending.

Detainees in the transitional release program may be able to join supervised work crews in the community.

Reintegration

Reintegration is a voluntary program to help eligible detainees connect to support services before leaving AMC. Support services include:

• housing
• health
• income
• family and community connections
• other basic needs.

This program can start while a detainee is in custody and one year after a detainee leaves custody. Help from the program involves:

• a needs-based assessment
• contacting services, including referrals
• day of release support

Reintegration planning may include linking the detainee with an outreach provider to help with reintegrating into the community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees can get targeted support through this program. This support includes working with families to develop strong and enduring supports.

If you have left custody in the past year, you can contact the Reintegration team for more information.

• Call: (02) 6205 5055
• Email: reintegration@act.gov.au

Your rights and how to complain

At the AMC, we aim to provide an environment where:

• everyone is safe and feels safe
• everyone is treated with respect
• everyone is encouraged and given opportunity to improve themselves
• everyone is enabled to maintain contact with their families and kinship networks
• everyone is prepared for return to the community.

Your rights

Detention involves limitation of some rights, however you are entitled to be treated with humanity and with respect for your inherent human dignity.

Read the human rights principles for ACT Correctional Centres [PDF 788 kB].

Complaints

If you are not happy with a service at AMC or the conduct of corrective services staff, you can complain or give us feedback.

Find out how to complain to ACT Corrective Services.

More information

The Corrections Management Act 2007 and the legislative instruments under the Act, govern the treatment and management of detainees in the ACT.

ACT Corrective Services operating policies and procedures support staff to meet legal compliance.