Young Women's Pilot Program (From Women in Corrections: Staff and Clients, P 1-15, 2000, Australian Institute of Criminology -- See NCJ-187936)

• NCJ Number: 187948
• Author(s): Mark Watt; Carol Tomnay
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Paper presented at the Women in Corrections: Staff and Clients Conference held in Adelaide, Australia, October 31-November 1, 2000. Downloaded March 21, 2001

Annotation

This paper provides an overview of the objectives, structure, components, clients, and effectiveness of Australia's Community Residential and Outreach Program, which is a prerelease program that provides services for young women making the transition from custody to the community.

Abstract

The program offers an intensive residential and outreach model of support to young women who are moving from a highly structured custodial environment to the general community. Given the frequency of substance abuse among incarcerated women, the program also provides clients with an opportunity to test personal resolve in the management and/or minimization of, as well as abstinence from substance use/abuse. The program focuses on ensuring that the transition process promotes feelings of acceptance, confidence, and certainty in the local community. Further, the program supports and encourages the women's involvement in education, training, and/or employment to increase skills and employment opportunities. In addition, the women are offered a variety of recreational and leisure activities that encourage the development of a new or broader peer group and stimulate interest in more positive activities. Other program objectives are to provide adult role models to the young women residents; link the women with support services and resources within their local communities; and ensure that the women have access to secure, stable, and long-term accommodation. The program operates within a relationship-based casework model, while recognizing the value of group work frameworks. The primary role of the staff is to develop professional relationships with clients that are based on mutual trust and respect. Overall, the program has provided young women, staff, and management an opportunity for the ongoing development of a program that aims to equip young women with the skills and self-worth that enhance and build confidence and competence in communal and community living.