Koori women, prison is a stable and predictable
environment. Upon release from prison, the
instability created by their competing needs
When released you get frustrated and
go back to your old ways.
institutionalisation is rife. We need a
mechanism to help people transition.
system, the issues remain the same. Adequate
housing, access to children and access to
appropriate treatment and support services
to assist with successful reintegration are key.
However, these services are in short supply.
described the frustration, stress and difficulties
they experienced once released from prison,
which stems from the lack of culturally appropriate
supports and the practical help that is needed for
basic life needs, such as accommodation.
navigate the service system or how to get housing,
a job or prepare a resume.
in the system.
utilise support. Often there are issues of
trusting services and service providers.
Some women know where services
are some do not. Most women do not
understand how best to use the services
provided, what they can and can't offer.
Wellbeing Officer, however, upon release they
no longer have that level of support. Community
members reiterate this point.
Competing needs include their own needs as a Koori
woman, mother, substance abuser, trauma survivor, et
cetera.
Key informant interview, Victorian Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Organisation, 7 March 2013.
Key informant interview, Victorian Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Organisation, 7 March 2013.
is lacking and services need to
communicate to each other. Service
delivery and discharge/exit planning
are crucial. Aboriginal women need
access to appropriate services to have
any chance of staying out.
example, homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse
and mental health issues) are not being addressed
either in prison or upon release and continue to
drive reimprisonment.
remain unmet and many end up relapsing and/or
returning to what they know. They are in effect set
up to fail.
because of their role as the primary care giver
of their children. Research on imprisoned
Koori mothers in NSW reveals that maintaining
relationships with their children whilst imprisoned is
of great importance to the women.
children removed. This impacts on the
family and the broader community as
Aboriginal women are the glue that
hold the family together, this has ripple
effects in the community.
Koori women return to fractured and dysfunctional
relationships with their children, family and
community. As Koori women in prison explained,
disconnection from their children once released
from prison continues to drive reoffending, as many
return to drugs to deal with their grief.
lifestyle mainly because of not being
unified with their children. Addressing
this issue post and pre-release is
crucial.
things have got a lot worse. I feel like
there is no use without them and I keep
on using drugs.
Key informant interview, Victorian Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Organisation, 7 March 2013.
Eileen Baldry et al, `Costs of Homelessness', above n
17, 104-112.
Eileen Baldry et al, `Needs Analysis Report', above n
62, 27.