KWOOP Seminar Series: International Case Study - Rehabilitation First: Learning from Spain’s Youth Justice Model

Join us for an international learning exchange with Dr David McGuire, Chief Executive of Diagrama Foundation UK, to examine a model of detention built on rehabilitation, education and relationships rather than punishment.

Diagrama runs youth justice centres across Spain which have proven very successful in reducing recidivism. Given pathways into women’s imprisonment often begin with contact with the youth justice system, there are many lessons to be learnt from examining the Diagrama model.

This session will focus on the Diagrama's rehabilitation first approach and tangible applications for our community.

Why Look to Spain and the Diagrama Model?

More than 30 years of practice. Diagrama has worked with young people in conflict with the law since 1991, using a model with a non-punitive ethos and focus on education, vocational training and reintegration, with strong involvement from families and communities.

Spain has now reduced its recidivism rates to around 15 per cent, compared to historical levels of around 85 per cent. The model has also proved cost effective and has been implemented across France and the United Kingdom.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will explore how Diagrama’s approach works in practice and applicable learnings for the Australian prison system. We will consider:

• Which elements of a rehabilitation-first model could apply to NSW women in custody and after release

• How relationships, education and family connection could shape gender-responsive and trauma-informed practice

• How Diagrama approaches after-care and reintegration, drawing on David’s experience leading a large after-care program, and what this suggests for women leaving prison in NSW

Who Should Attend

Anyone working with women and girls, or young people, in contact with the criminal legal system:

• Justice and youth justice practitioners

• Social workers and case managers

• Mental health and behavioural health providers

• Community advocates and NGO practitioners

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice workers

• Policy makers and researchers

• Legal practitioners and community lawyers

Format

All KWOOP Community of Practice seminars are open to anyone interested in participating. They are designed to be informative and accessible, to create opportunities to, ask questions, learn and exchange ideas.

We know many of you are being taken away from front-line client work, so we keep these sessions to an hour. Normally we run over lunch but due to the time difference with the UK, this one will align with your morning tea or coffee.