Articles & News

May 24, 2008

Life after doing time - one woman's efforts in Australia

Anna Prytz, Maribyrnong Leader - Newport,VIC,Australia

DEB Redford has seen the struggles former prisoners face in the outside world first-hand.

As a member of Prison Network Ministries, she has watched women try to reintegrate into society after a jail sentence.

"It's huge, just an enormous struggle for them," she said.

"They don't know if they still have friends or how they'll be accepted. Often we have to pick them up after their release.

"People can shun them or be very wary. They often find it hard to get work so have minimal money, so we help as best we can with going to Centrelink and job hunting and such.

"We believe in a very holistic approach to rehabilitation and reintegration because it is a very emotional and spiritual process as well as a practical one."

Prison Network Ministries, a nondenominational Christian organisation, has been running for almost 60 years.

"At first it was just one lady visiting prisoners at Pentridge but over the years it's grown and become more official. It's had this title for about 10 years now and we have a set staff of four at the moment," Deb said.

The women of the network now visit female prisoners in Deer Park's Dame Phyllis Frost Centre offering them craft sessions, exercise classes and a friendly face.

"I think people's perception of anyone who's been in prison is that they deserve to be locked up and then they forget about them but I have a lot of empathy for them," Ms Redford said.

"When you meet them you see that they're very normal women who have made some bad life choices, some worse than others of course but they've just gotten on to the wrong life path.

"Talking to them you see the human side and it's very rewarding. And it's just great for them. They really appreciate someone taking the time."

Prison Network Ministries also helps women after their release, as often picking up the pieces of their former lives proves the biggest hurdle.

The network will have a discussion night in Maribyrnong this week for released prisoners, their families and the community to voice issues of life after prison.

"It's a night to let other people know how much support these women actually need," Ms Redford said.

"They want to be normal members of society again. The women carry a lot of guilt and fear about their futures. So we just want to help pick them up again."

The event will be at Life Christian Church, Maidstone, this Saturday, 7.30pm. All are welcome. Details: 9873 4190.