OARS Profile

Offenders Aid & Rehabilitation Services is a voluntary community association that has been helping offenders and their families in South Australia since 1886.  OARS SA began life as the Prisoners Aid Association, and has grown and developed over many years in order to respond to the changing needs of clients and the changing face of justice administration in this State.

OARS SA operates services across the State and employs approximately 50 staff and we have about 120 active volunteers at any one time.

The services are described in other parts of this web site. OARS SA provides services to many people including people released from prison, their partners and children. OARS SA actively pursues early intervention strategies with respect to preventing crime and is represented on many external bodies and Government Committees. Restorative Justice forms the foundation of our values and service delivery.

OARS SA is very active in policy advocacy and policy matters that have been on our agenda include:

Bail Accommodation services for men and women

Spent Convictions Legislation

Significant influence on Drug Court development and design and services

Gender Entrapment

Social Inclusion Unit

New Prison and related services for prisoners

Post Release Housing

Post release employment

Coordinated Care for Women Leaving Prison Report

Restorative Justice initiatives

Centre for Restorative Justice Advisory Committee

Adult conferencing programs

Conflict management in schools

Victim reconciliation

RJ Training