ACT Women and Prisons Group (WAP)

04/11/2015

"Aboriginal women only make up between 2% and 3% of the Australian female population. But the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women entering prison has soared from 21% of all women prisoners in 1996, to a record high of 35% in 2014. In the past year, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women prisoners has increased again by 6% – a higher growth rate than for other women, and for Aboriginal men."

Research suggests serious problems with the way Aboriginal women, particularly those with mental and cognitive disabilities, are "managed" by the criminal justice system.

15/10/2015

An article outlining the why Aboriginal women should only be imprisoned as a desperate measure of last resort.

Check out the series from Croakey.org for more articles on justice in Australia.

In the first of a three-part series on issues in Victoria, Marie McInerney investigates the urgent need for action to address the rising rates of Aboriginal women going to prison, the maj

31/08/2015

The Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney presents Incarceration: A vice panel - What are prison for, and how did they become a growth industry?' The panel brings together Chris Munro, Eric Schlosser, Debbie Kilroy and John Safran.
Ticket allocation is exhausted but *fingers crossed* they bring out a podcast!

Why have prisons become a growth industry and what is prison for?

07/08/2015

At the Reintegration Puzzle justice conference listening to Debbie Kilroy talk about the experience of women in prisons. Shocking and appalling experiences.

28/07/2015

Magistrates have been forced to remand Aboriginal women who were victims of family violence because emergency accommodation options were so limited, the Royal Commission into Family Violence has heard.  

12/07/2015

An interesting article about women helping women understand they are worth more, breaking cycles of crime and getting results.

For many prisoners escaping the revolving door of crime and jail-time can be a lifetime struggle However a mentoring programme for female prisoners in New South Wales is having remarkable success i

22/06/2015

Women coming out of jail require forms of assistance that are not simply directed at technologies for prevention or elimination of recidivism, but rather that are focused on health and well-being.

16/06/2015

WAP is attending part 1 of the Justice Reinvestment co-design workshop hosted by ACTCOSS and ACT Justice and Community Safety DIrectorate. Looking forward to a day of robust discussion.

16/06/2015

The Women In Prison Advocacy Network eBulletin 'Ode Cologne'

10/06/2015

WAP are off to the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women meeting this afternoon. If you are a women with lived experience and would like to have your voice heard at this table - please do not hesitate to contact WAP on 6290 2166.

10/06/2015

Five women tell their stories of escaping an abusive relationship

03/06/2015

Regardless of the state or territory we live in, housing affordability is an issue affecting women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

New research shows domestic violence can force women into lower-quality housing -- or make it harder to find a home altogether.