Page 2457 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 August 2017
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operations are all available to women. The AMC currently has five women enrolled at the University of Southern Queensland tertiary preparation program. Many women spend their time in the AMC staying in cottages which promotes independence and fosters learning skills beneficial to their return to the community.
It is this focus that I must emphasise. Most women in our prison will return to our community at some stage. We owe it to them and to the community to best equip them for this transition so as to prevent their return to the AMC. Women in detention often have complex needs, as you would expect of one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. They may have experienced issues with mental health, drug or alcohol use, relationships, education, employment and accommodation. They are also likely to be mothers or have caring responsibilities in the home. Going to prison may have wide-reaching consequences for women including losing their jobs, their housing or even custody of their children.
Our extended through-care program provides support to detainees re-entering the community from custody either directly or through an outreach provider or community organisation. Through-care participants are assisted with basic needs like opening bank accounts and gathering identification, transport on the day of release and toiletries. They are also given help in sourcing appropriate accommodation, arranging health care, assisting with financial stability and developing pro-social connections.
It is important that I note that the extended through-care program is offered to all females released from the AMC whether they leave because they are granted bail, have their charges withdrawn or dismissed or have completed their sentence. This is different for males as only sentenced males are offered through-care program support. By offering all women through-care program support it is hoped that they will be more likely to remain in the community and not reoffend or return to custody.
I am heartened by the results of the recent evaluation of the extended through-care program by the University of New South Wales which showed that, in particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were benefitting from their involvement in the program. Indeed the government has, as part of the 2017-18 budget committed a further $5.3 million to continuing this program. I look forward to seeing more positive outcomes for women in the extended through-care program.
I reassure the Assembly and the ACT community that I remain committed to providing Canberra’s female detainees with appropriate accommodation and support during their time in custody. I present a copy of the statement:
Alexander Maconochie Centre—Accommodation for female detainees—Ministerial statement, 3 August 2017.
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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