exiting Victorian prisons. It is
a Homelessness Innovation
address homelessness in female offenders
by providing intensive wrap-around support
services to women by assisting with long
term affordable housing, individualised
intensive support, job or employment/training
pathways, living skills and mentoring support.
release. With a total case load of 50 women,
there is daily interaction in the initial three to
four weeks following release.
emphasis on creating direct links with
employment, education and training
providers. It also provides intensive
supports, group work, individual case
management services and the opportunity of
the development of independent living skills
and community connections with a view to
supporting people through a transition from
dependence to independence.
Restart was a finalist in the National Homelessness
Services Achievement Awards 2012. See, Australian
Government, Department of Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs,
Excellence or Innovation in addressing homelessness
by an organisation. <http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-
responsibilities/housing-support/programs-services/
homelessness/national-homelessness-services-
achievement-awards/excellence-or-innovation-in-
addressing-homelessness-by-an-organisation> at 18
July 2013.
prisoners who would be granted parole are
held beyond their eligible release date because
acceptable housing cannot be obtained.
accommodation, which is less expensive than
the continued costs and consequences of
imprisonment.
numerous key informants:
to readjust and reintegrate into the
community. We need independence
to build up life skills but we also need
support with this.
Koori women also require programs and services
that are flexible, holistic, and take into account the
woman's family/caring commitments, needs and
structure. Programs should also be tailored to their
specific cultural and gender needs as well as the
causal factors/drivers of their offending. Sufficient
support services need to be put in place to deal
with these.
Adult Parole Board of Victoria, Adult Parole Board of
Victoria 2011-2012 Annual Report (2012) 7.
Focus group interview, 17 January 2013
Key informant interview, Victorian Aboriginal Legal
Service, 15 November 2012.