- Published:
- Wednesday, 13 July 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting programs to help female prisoners successfully re-integrate into the community following their release.
A $1.6 million package of grants includes almost $270,000 to extend the Women’s Mentoring Program, which helps women re-integrate into the community by matching them with suitable volunteers.
Mentors provide practical guidance on how to find employment and learn new skills, and also offer a hand of friendship to people working to make a fresh start in life.
The program is open to women who are about to be, or recently have been, released from prison, as well as women ordered by a court to serve Community Correction Orders.
The program is delivered by the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (VACRO), a not-for-profit organisation that provides support to offenders and their families to create a safer, fairer community.
Other program grants for non-government agencies include:
- $861,696 for the Child Care and Transport Subsidy program, also administered by VACRO, which offers transport and childcare assistance to women who are completing Community Correction Orders
- $275,000 for Fun with Mum, run by Prison Network Ministries, which develops life skills and family connections through a series of recreational and motivational programs
- $174,172 for the Vietnamese Support Program, run by the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, which supports Vietnamese prisoners and their families across a number of prisons, including at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Tarrengower women’s prisons
- $61,565 for Read-Along Mums and Dads, delivered by Friends of Castlemaine Library, where prisoners are recorded reading a story so their children can read along at home while listening to mum and dad’s voice.
The Labor Government and Corrections Victoria partner with a number of non-government organisations to deliver vital services in prisons and Community Correctional Services to help stop recidivism.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Steve Herbert
“This is about helping female prisoners and offenders learn new skills to help them make a fresh start.”
“Rehabilitation is a focus of our corrections system, and these programs assist women prisoners and offenders to change their lives for the better.”