OARS Community Transitions Profile

OARS Community Transitions is a voluntary community association that has been helping offenders and their families in South Australia since 1886.  OARS Community Transitions began life as the Prisoners Aid Association, then became Offenders Aid & Rehabilitation Services of SA.  In 2010 we began operating under the name OARS Community Transitions as our services have developed to respond to the changing needs of clients and the changing face of justice administration in this State.

We operate services across the State and employ approximately 50 staff and we have about 60 active volunteers at any one time.

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

OARS Community Transitions 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