Dec 2 – NSW Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard today announced $250,000 funding for a program which helps women who have been in prison get their lives back on track.
The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) has partnered with the Women in Prison Advocacy Network (WIPAN), to assist women to get housing and re-connect with their families.
“This is about breaking the cycle of crime and disadvantage and helping these women play an active and positive role in the community,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Many women who have been in prison end up homeless and many also have children – this program helps them find stable accommodation and re-connect with their children to help prevent future generations repeating the same cycle.”
WIPAN Director Kat Armstrong said their program – which has been run by women including ex-prisoners, lawyers, academics and the broader community since 2010 – is believed to be the only one of its kind in NSW.
“Our programs help women find and maintain safe and stable housing, access education and employment – as well as develop the parenting skills necessary to have their children from out of home care restored to their care,” Ms Armstrong said.
“WIPAN’s gender specific and evidence-based programs ensure some of our community’s most marginalised and disadvantaged women become socially included and reach their full potential.”
The funding comes on top of another initiative this year, where 250 frontline staff from specialist homelessness services, community housing and social housing received training to improve their practice when responding to people leaving custody. Key input came from the Department of Justice, the Community Restorative Centre and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).
Government statistic shoe women make up around 7 per cent of the prison population in NSW. Almost 50 % of women in NSW prison have one or more children. Many women have complex histories including homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness and family violence and need specialise support.