The Volunteer Unit

The Departmental for Correctional Services (DCS) Volunteer Unit provides meaningful and coordinated support to prisoners, offenders and departmental staff as well as acting as a vital link between the department and the community.

Established in 1975 following recommendations by the Criminal Law and Penal Methods Reform Committee, the DCS Volunteer Unit oversees over 100 volunteers and operates a number of volunteer programs within prisons and community corrections on a state-wide basis.

The involvement of Volunteers in the Department for Correctional Services is managed through a range of instruments guiding how we operate.

Unit contact details

The Volunteer Unit is based at the Port Adelaide Community Correctional Centre.

Mail: Customs House, 220 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Telephone: (08) 8440 3620
Email: dcs.volunteerunit@sa.gov.au

Volunteer role

DCS Volunteers provide support to prisoners and offenders at all prisons and community correctional centres throughout South Australia. As part of the DCS Offender Development Directorate, the volunteers work alongside staff to provide volunteer support programs with a focused rehabilitative approach.

This allows a more streamlined approach to the delivery of volunteer services that are aligned with the department’s rehabilitative goals.  More information on volunteer programs is available via our Volunteer Programs page.

The DCS Volunteer Unit runs the Volunteer Orientation Program which allows volunteers to receive training around confidentiality, security requirements and responsibilities and other things to be aware of while working with prisoners and offenders.

Volunteers from Chaplaincy Services, and other volunteer involving organisations such as Edge Church, GAPSA and Second Chances SA are offered the opportunity to participate in the Volunteer Orientation Program.  This ensures risk management remains at the forefront of service delivery whilst engaging the wider community in the rehabilitation of prisoners and offenders.

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for both the unit and our volunteers.

Note:  If you have volunteers supporting prisoners and offenders and would like to receive training through attending the Volunteer Orientation please contact the Volunteer Coordinator via dcs.volunteerunit@sa.gov.au

    Documents

  • Download: DCS Volunteer Unit Information (601.5 KB PDF)