Acacia Prison - Creating cultural change in corrections
Acacia Prison is located near Wooroloo, about 50 km east of Perth, on land of the Whadjuk Noongar people, one of the language groups of the Noongar Nation in south-west Western Australia.
The prison sits on sacred women’s land with cultural authority and guidance from by the Tactical Aunties of Acacia Prison.
Serco manage Acacia Prison, Western Australia’s second largest prison, on behalf of the Western Australian Government.
Serco acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Acacia Prison stands.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples.
We recognise their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture.
Serco’s Aboriginal Support Model
The Tactical Elders Program at Acacia Prison
The Serco team at Acacia Prison, is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal prisoners in Western Australia by ensuring their cultural safety while in custody. This commitment is exemplified through Serco’s Aboriginal Support Model and the Tactical Elders Program, which provide culturally significant support and guidance within Acacia Prison and has been recently expanded to support other prisons in WA.
Serco’s team of Tactical Elders bring more than 100 years of collective experience, and the positive impact they are creating is getting noticed. Tactical Elder, Aunty Rosalie Kickett, has recently been recognised by the National Indigenous Australians Agency as one of the three finalists for the 2025 NAIDOC Female Elder Award.
Read more about Acacia Prison initiatives here
“This model focuses on the cultural safety of both staff and prisoners and has been developed with the guidance and support of Elders and the community.
The Tactical Elders Program, facilitated by respected Western Australian Elders with experience working within prisons, has been run at Acacia Prison since 2023.
With substantial cultural influence and knowledge, and formal mental healthcare and trauma qualifications, the Tactical Elders support prisoners and staff through programs that aim to embed a sense of cultural identity and connection for all Aboriginal prisoners.”
John Harrison, Superintendent Acacia Prison.
Aunty Rosalie Kickett - Serco’s beacon of strength and healing at Acacia Prison
In the heart of Acacia Prison, a remarkable woman is making a profound impact on the lives of incarcerated Aboriginal men.
Learn more about Aunty Rosalie Kickett a proud Wilman, Beelya, Balladong, Bibbulmun Nation Noongar Yok woman, who has dedicated her life to supporting the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual connection for Aboriginal people across Australia.