Correspondence from the NSW Attorney General - allegations regarding a residential rehabilitation facility

11/01/2021

The Attorney General of New South Wales, Mark Speakman SC MP, has written to the Association to draw to members’ attention allegations regarding a residential rehabilitation facility known as ‘The Healing House’, operated by Rawr Street Ministries Inc.

The allegations were reported by the ABC’s 7.30 Report on 15 December 2020. The transcript of the 7.30 Report is available here.

The Attorney General has advised that the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice is currently working with the Secretary of the Ministry of Health to consider the allegations and advise on appropriate next steps.

The Attorney General has advised that Corrective Services NSW no longer makes referrals to The Healing House and that a directive has been issued to staff not to refer offenders to the facility. However, admission to the facility can be required as a condition of bail where parties to the proceedings have made submissions seeking an accommodation requirement and ‘The Healing House’ is the nominated facility.

The Attorney General has asked that the allegations reported by the 7.30 Report be drawn to the attention of members making submissions in bail proceedings.

The Attorney General’s statement to the 7.30 Report program can be viewed here.