Port Phillip Prison Guest Speaker

Ann Hooker, Youth Development Officer, Port Phillip Prison, addressed the Club at a partners' night on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 about her work in a very special unit at the prison.

The prison is a private prison run by GSL.  GSL also provide prisoner transport, hospital transport and run other correction centers.

Within two years of the prison opening it was realized that there were problems within the prison and Ann was invited to set up a program for 18 to 25 year old men for whom this was their first adult prison experience.  It was recognized that these young men could be easily bullied and moulded by the prison culture.  This program had the aim of reducing the rate of recidivism once prisoners had completed their sentences.  The group members, a maximum of 35 prisoners, were kept separate and given access to technical and educational training courses.  Each week they are required to attend 3 programs related to their offences, such as alcohol/drug programs, anger/violence management and also leisure and personal choice programs. 

The group has established a small business and they are responsible for all aspects of running it.  Profits go to charity with $55k being raised in the 3 years it has been in operation.  Being involved in running the business has taught them about taking responsibility for their actions.  The company is called "Doin Time" and the group make t-shirts to order.

The program has been going for 10 years and the rate of recidivism is 35% compared to 70% in other prisoners once they leave the prison.  The average time they stay with the program is 2 years after which they can generally be transferred to a lower security facility.  There is an employment program with Toll Transport after they are released and trained volunteer mentors also assist.

Please visit the "Doin Time" website at http://www.servingtime.org/

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