Carry the message beyond the meeting room
The Area B Correctional Facilities Team helps carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to people in correctional facilities across the Eastern Region.
AA members take meetings into correctional facilities and share their experience, strength and hope with alcoholics who may have limited access to AA in the community.
Current regular service
AA meetings are currently being carried into the Alexander Maconochie Centre in Canberra.
About the service
What is correctional facilities service?
The Correctional Facilities Team, or CFT, is made up of AA members who help carry the message of recovery to alcoholics in correctional facilities.
Members of the Team attend AA meetings inside correctional facilities and work with facility staff to support regular access to Alcoholics Anonymous.
We are not counsellors, case workers or representatives of the justice system. We attend as members of Alcoholics Anonymous and share the same message we carry at any other AA meeting.
Carry the message
Share the message of Alcoholics Anonymous with people who may have little or no access to AA meetings outside the facility.
Attend as a member
You do not need to be a counsellor, corrections expert or experienced speaker. You attend as an AA member and share your own experience, strength and hope.
Serve as part of a team
Members participate through the Area B Correctional Facilities Team and are supported by other members involved in corrections service.
AA members
Could you help carry the message?
Correctional facilities service is ordinary AA service in an extraordinary setting.
If you have ever wondered what it is like to take an AA meeting into a correctional facility, or whether corrections service might be for you, we would be glad to hear from you.
Attend meetings
Join other AA members in taking regular meetings into correctional facilities.
Share your experience
There is no special presentation required. You participate as an AA member and share what recovery has been like for you.
Be reliable
Correctional facilities rely on regular attendance. Members who join a roster are asked to make their service commitment reliably.
Complete visitor approval
Facilities have security and visitor approval requirements. The CFT Coordinator can guide interested members through the process.
Who can get involved?
Members interested in joining the Area B Correctional Facilities Team should have at least one year of continuous sobriety.
Members attending correctional facilities must also meet the requirements of the relevant facility. These may include identity checks, security vetting, training and visitor approval.
Requirements vary between facilities, so please contact the CFT Coordinator before applying.
Interested, but not sure yet?
You do not need to make a commitment before contacting us. Ask questions, learn what is involved and find out whether correctional facilities service is right for you.
Across Area B
Where we serve
Area B Eastern Region covers the Australian Capital Territory and parts of southern New South Wales.
Current regular service
Alexander Maconochie Centre
Canberra, ACT
Area B members currently attend regular AA meetings at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Broader Area B service
Southern NSW
Area B has also supported correctional facilities at Goulburn, Cooma and Mannus.
Opportunities to establish or re-establish service depend on facility arrangements, local need and the availability of AA members to participate.
Correctional facilities and professionals
Information for professionals
Alcoholics Anonymous is available to cooperate with correctional facilities and justice professionals by providing information about AA and, where possible, supporting access to AA meetings.
AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
AA does not provide professional treatment, counselling, case management, medical services or legal advice. Cooperation with a correctional facility or other organisation does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
Request information about AA
The CFT can provide information about Alcoholics Anonymous and how AA members cooperate with correctional facilities.
Discuss facility meetings
Professionals wishing to discuss the possibility of AA meetings within a correctional facility are welcome to contact the Area B CFT Coordinator.
Further information
Correctional facilities resources
Resources for AA members, correctional facilities and professionals interested in learning more about Alcoholics Anonymous and correctional facilities service.
For professionals
Information about AA, cooperation with professionals and the role of AA in correctional settings.
About the Team
The Correctional Facilities Team
The Area B Correctional Facilities Team brings together AA members involved in carrying the message into correctional facilities across the Area.
The Team supports members involved in this service, coordinates attendance and works with correctional facilities to maintain appropriate arrangements for AA access.
All CFT activities are guided by AA’s Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts for World Service and relevant Australian AA service guidelines.
The CFT Coordinator
The CFT Coordinator organises the Team, maintains relationships with correctional facilities and coordinates member attendance and visitor approval.
For questions about joining the Team, visitor approval or correctional facilities service within Area B:
Existing CFT members
Already involved in correctional facilities service?
Find upcoming Area B service meetings and previously published meeting minutes.
Could you give some of your time to carry the message?
Whether you are ready to become involved or simply want to know more, contact the Area B Correctional Facilities Team.