In Australia, First Nations women are incarcerated at rates significantly higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women making up a disproportionate share of the female prison population. They are often imprisoned for minor offenses, highlighting systemic biases. In response, Elders for Change, collaborating with the Australian Red Cross, addresses the unique needs of these women in the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre, focusing on cultural and mental health support to foster resilience and agency.
This case study examines the innovative program Sisters for Change, that equips participants with skills in mental health first aid and cultural knowledge. Activities led by the women themselves include educational sessions and initiatives to improve prison conditions, emphasizing empowerment over punishment. With 70% of the Centre’s population being Indigenous, the program currently benefits 20 women trained as volunteers, aiming to expand its reach. An evaluation found significant improvements in safety, mental health, and personal development, underscoring the potential of culturally sensitive interventions in reforming justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Hard to Reach
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in prison at the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre (TWCC).
Key Takeaways
The research identified five key lessons that Elders for Change’s approach to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in prison which include:
- Prioritizing Care Over Punishment Can Reduce Recidivism
- Reconnecting with Culture and Identity Is Crucial for Healing
- Relationships Are Everything
- Interventions Need to Be Longterm and Authentic
- Nothing About Us Without Us: Listening to People with Lived Experience
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands that encompass the site of this case study in Townsville, the Bindal and Wulgurukaba People. We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we live, learn, and work, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung peoples of the eastern Kulin Nations. We deeply respect the rich history of the world’s oldest living cultures, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have lived on and cared for this land for countless generations. We honour the cultural and spiritual relationship to the land and pay respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This research was made possible thanks to the support of the University of Melbourne and the Reach Alliance. We convey our gratitude to the University of Melbourne’s pro vice-chancellor, Professor Adrian Little, and the university’s Office of Research Ethics and Integrity. We acknowledge the facilitative and empowering support from Kindred, particularly Maria Rodrigues, who is also our beloved mentor, Steve Fisher, who provided an immense amount of support through the research design process, and Kirsty McKellar. We express our heartfelt thank you to the invaluable wisdom, guidance, and effort of Hyemi Jacka, whom our research wouldn’t have been feasible without. We also extend our immense gratitude to Mike Alcorn for his coaching time and Jacqueline Larson for her advanced editing. Finally, wadda mooli! We express our whole-hearted solidarity and thanks to the incredible women of Elders for Change and their supporters in Townsville. We thank all of the inspiring Elders, the powerful sisters, and the community members who contributed their valuable time and remarkable stories to this case study.
This research received ethics approval from the University of Melbourne Human Reseach Ethics Committe (approval ID: 2024-29924-55698-6).