Monday, 1 December 2014
Mervyn Eades was in and out of the prison system from the time he was 13 years old until he reached the age of 31.
Now, he is the Founder and Managing Director of Ngalla Maya Aboriginal Employment Access.
Speaking at the Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference at the UWA Business School, Eades said Ngalla Maya, established just three months ago, aims to equip Indigenous prisoners for re-entry into the Western Australian workforce.
"Our Aboriginal children are in a prison at a rate of 84 per cent and men and women account for 48 per cent of prisoners in WA," Eades said.
"Since 1998, the rate of incarceration has increased 12 times faster for Indigenous people than for non-Indigenous people, when we only represent three per cent of the general population.
"The government failed us, I believe. We are at a state of emergency. Western Australia incarcerates the Aboriginal people of its state at nine times the rate of Apartheid South Africa."
Eades is passionate about providing meaningful rehabilitation and support for Indigenous prisoners. Ngalla Maya meets with Indigenous prisoners before they are released, providing training opportunities and assisting prisoners to gain their driver's licences.
To date, Ngalla Maya has created six full-time employment opportunities.
Eades recently met with the Minister for Corrective Services, Joe Francis MLA, and has a message for government: "It is time to say enough is enough and close the gap. Sit around the table with us and address these issues. We need to be released from the invisible shackles."
The Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference is being held at the UWA Business School on 1-2 December.
Mervyn Eades was speaking at the 3rd Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference at the UWA Business School.
Media references
Verity
Chia
(UWA Business School) (+61
8) 6488 1346
Emma Watton
(IBECC Media Coordinator) (+61
4) 31 936 397
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