1. Transitions Mere Dewes-Tewake

2. Purpose of Transition Role: The provision of practical support to women at the time of release from prisons in South East Queensland

3. Responsibilities include: Assisting women to obtain identification, complete housing applications and other practical preparatory tasks to ensure that the woman’s release from prison goes as smoothly as possible Assisting women at the time of release with practical support (ie emergency accommodation/financial relief, baby bundles) Coordinate two 3 day camps and five 1 day programs to support the reunification between mums in jail or recently released and their children. Assist with inbound inquiries at the Sisters Inside Head Office

4. Challenges Time period from when the initial request for referral is received to when seen Gaining access to see the women and time restraints Communication difficulties that may occur when trying to see women Prison culture and prison staff Gaining regular access to an available room to meet with the women at a couple of different locations within the prison The forwarding out of prison (or the collecting back from the women) accommodation forms that may have been sent into prison

5. Challenges Continued… Gaining access to and the forwarding out of the prison a copy of womens’ prison identification photo (photo identification is required by the birth registry office to accompany a birth certificate request when applying on behalf of) Release date clarification from Prison Sentence Management staff that may choose not to disclose this information (even when we have received a referral from the woman requesting transport assistance on her release from prison) prison staff attitudes, individual staff interpretation of prison policy and the impact from this

6. Challenges Continued… Lengthy wait time at Centrelink offices when women go to claim the Crisis Payment on release from prison oOn release from Court: - the time taken for the Court to process the necessary information required and then to inform the prison of woman's release so that she can then go back to the prison and collect her property

7. Issues Increasing numbers of indigenous women in prison treated differently….subtle racism) Increasing numbers of women in prison with mental health issues Regular access to women in prison Prison staff changes at management level that affect and change the processes when trying to gain access to meet with women in prison

8. Issues Continued… Government funding and gaps that may not fully assist or address the specific identified needs of women and their children (pre/post release) Current government views re:women in prison and their families Changing social policy that continues to affects pre/post release support services for women in prison and their families The lack of suitable, safe and affordable accommodation on release from prison

9. Highlights Accommodation is found for women Some women have stayed out of prison for longer periods Able to visit the children and work towards the regaining of access/care for their children Goals have been met Women are not back in prison.....have remained outside for months/years…

10. Thank you