Corrective Services NSW is calling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists to bring their skills and cultural knowledge into prisons, to support offenders during rehabilitation.
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Chief psychologist for the south region, Georgina Spilsbury, whose grandfather was a Wiradjuri man, has urged those with Aboriginal heritage to consider a career in corrections.
"It's an advantage to employ more psychologists from Aboriginal backgrounds because it adds to our knowledge when providing offenders with assessments and interventions," Ms Spilsbury said.
"For example, it's not uncommon for Australia's First Nations people to talk to ancestors but without cultural knowledge or training, hearing voices could be misdiagnosed as a psychotic symptom."
Ms Spilsbury's team of more than 20 people work with offenders who often have multiple mental health diagnoses and competing needs, especially in remote areas.
"Many locations have a high population of Aboriginal offenders in custody or the community, and that brings unique challenges because of generational trauma and prejudice."
Wongaibon-Wiradjuri woman Kaitlyn Byrne demonstrates the importance of diversity through her CareerTrackers psychology cadetship at Goulburn Correctional Centre.
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"We are culturally responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, especially on a spiritual level," Ms Byrne said.
"There's an immediate foundation of trust between Aboriginal people because we're all family in our eyes and I appreciate that they're comfortable to allow themselves to be vulnerable in my presence.
"There's not a day I don't enjoy being at the prison because it offers something new, keeps me on my toes and drives me to keep pursuing my dreams."
Ms Byrne said the cadetship helped improve her grades while providing a platform to create change for First Nations people.
"I've also been uncovering and researching culturally appropriate tools like psychometric assessments which could be of use within the prison environment," she said.
A spokesperson said psychologists with CSNSW work in prisons and community corrections helped to improve the lives of offenders, their families and communities by providing assessments, services and programs.
Learn more about psychology careers with CSNSW here.
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