Damon Mcknight
Women's prisons in Australia vary in terms of security and conditions. For instance, Bandyup Women's Prison in Western Australia has a mother and baby unit, allowing babies up to 12 months old to live with their mothers. The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Victoria, on the other hand, is a maximum-security prison that has been the subject of scrutiny due to incidents of self-harm and drug overdoses. Women make up only 7% of Australia's adult prison population, and many come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some women have access to programs like computer studies, cooking, and pottery, while others face challenges such as limited contact with the outside world and a lack of structured pathways for re-entering society after their release.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prison name | Bandyup Women's Prison, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Adelaide Women's Prison |
| Location | East of Perth, Deer Park in Victoria, Grand Junction Road in Northfield, South Australia |
| Security level | Maximum, medium, minimum |
| Number of prisoners | 604 as of 2008, 260 as of June 2010 |
| Programs offered | Computer studies, cooking, pottery |
| Visitor policies | Visitors may be searched, children under 18 must be supervised by an adult, visitors expected to dress appropriately |
| Work opportunities | Available |
| Mother and baby units | Available |
| Drug issues | Heroin and methamphetamine were reported to be "readily available" in 2009 |
| Transition support | Available through programs like the Miranda Project |
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What You'll Learn
Women's prison conditions in Australia
Women make up a small proportion of the total prison population in Australia. However, over the past decade, the number of women in Australian prisons has been increasing at a faster rate than the number of men. Women in Australian prisons often come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have complex health and wellbeing needs. They may have a history of substance abuse and mental health issues.
Prison conditions for women in Australia vary depending on the type of prison. There is a notable difference between maximum-security prisons and minimum-security prisons. For example, at Silverwater Prison, inmates are not allowed physical contact with visitors, whereas Berima Prison is more family-friendly, allowing physical contact and artwork to be sent in. At Bandyup Women's Prison in Western Australia, inmates are provided with work and other prison-based opportunities and activities, including self-development and therapeutic programs. A mother and baby unit allows babies up to 12 months old to live with their mothers on-site. Visitors may be searched when entering prison grounds, and tough penalties are in place for trafficking contraband. Bandyup has also implemented a smoke-free pilot program.
In Victoria, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, originally known as Deer Park Metropolitan Women's Correctional Centre, was the first prison to be privately designed, financed, built, and operated. It is now managed by Corrections Victoria and offers a range of programs and opportunities for inmates. For example, women who are pregnant or primary caregivers can apply for the Living with Mum Program. All Victorian prisons provide access to fresh air for at least an hour a day and access to a library. Inmates are also given the opportunity to work during their sentence to build work habits and skills.
Some female inmates in Australia are allowed to take makeup and roll-up cigarettes into prison, but they may be required to wear an issued bra. In some cases, children are allowed to stay with their mothers in prison, and visits from children are generally welcomed. However, children under 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Social visitors are expected to dress appropriately for the prison environment. Inmates usually have two accounts for spending and phone usage, and money can be deposited into these accounts by others. In addition to letters and photos, not much else can be sent to inmates without prior approval.
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Life after women's prison in Australia
Life after a stint in an Australian women's prison can be challenging. Women leaving prison often have very few possessions and nowhere to go. They may lack the identification necessary to access important services like Medicare, or to open a bank account. Finding housing can also be difficult.
Some women have reported feeling overwhelmed by the changes that have occurred in the world during their time in prison, particularly with regard to technology. One woman, who was sentenced for fraud in 2018 and released in 2022, described her experience:
> "I was excited when I first left prison, but once I was faced with the reality of rebuilding my life I became overwhelmed. The Miranda Project [a program that assists vulnerable women when attending court, on community orders or exiting prison] helped me into a house within three weeks, and that was amazing. But the world has changed so much I can barely recognise it. Technology is a major frustration for me; the way Centrelink works has changed a lot and obviously COVID-19 has also happened, so nothing looks the same."
Another woman described her experience of re-entering society with the help of the Community Restorative Centre, an organisation in New South Wales that assists those impacted by the criminal justice system:
> "After dodgy housing experiences, the Community Restorative Centre [a NSW organisation helping those impacted by the criminal justice system] found me a place to call home. Along with the Women in Prison Advocacy Network, they’ve been a huge help. I’m trying to rebuild my life by giving back to the community, working with the community centres which have been so helpful. And I’m trying to get back into work. I love to set goals but I also know they need to be achievable.”
Some Australian women's prisons offer programs to help prepare prisoners for life after release. For example, Bandyup Women's Prison in Western Australia provides prisoners with work and other prison-based opportunities and activities, including self-development and therapeutic programs. The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Victoria, Australia's largest women's prison as of 2008, offers prisoners the opportunity to work during their sentence to build work habits and skills. Transitional staff are also available to assist prisoners in preparing for their release.
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Women's prison rules and regulations in Australia
Women's prisons in Australia follow a set of rules and regulations that are designed to maintain security, order, and safety within the facilities. While specific protocols may vary across different correctional centres and states, there are standard guidelines in place to govern the treatment of female prisoners and the overall management of the prisons. Here is an overview of some of the common rules and regulations within women's prisons in Australia:
Accommodation and Visitation:
Women's prisons in Australia typically offer different accommodation areas to cater to the diverse needs of the inmates. For example, the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre in Queensland has secure and residential areas. Additionally, some prisons accommodate mothers with young children, recognising the importance of the mother-child bond and the role of women as primary caregivers. Visitation policies vary based on the security level of the prison. Maximum-security prisons often have stricter rules, such as prohibiting physical contact between inmates and visitors, while minimum-security facilities may allow for more relaxed interactions.
Prohibited Items and Contraband:
Tobacco and smoking-related products are strictly prohibited within Australian women's prisons. These items must be secured in motor vehicles or visitor lockers and cannot be taken onto the prison grounds. Other prohibited items, often referred to as contraband, can include unauthorised personal belongings, illegal substances, and any objects that could potentially be used as weapons or to facilitate an escape. Each prison has its own specific guidelines regarding what inmates are allowed to possess and bring into the facility.
Daily Routine and Activities:
Women's prisons in Australia aim to provide a structured daily program that includes a range of activities and opportunities for personal development. This typically involves industry and education training programs designed to address offending behaviour and enhance employability. Inmates are also given access to fresh air for at least an hour a day and are encouraged to use the prison library. Some prisons offer specialised programs and services tailored to the unique needs of female inmates, particularly those with children.
Sentence Management and Staff Conduct:
The management of sentences and prisoner transfers is guided by manuals such as the Sentence Management Manual, which ensures that staff conduct their duties consistently and in accordance with legal requirements. The Correctional Practice Framework outlines the theoretical and practical principles that will influence reforms in custodial and community correctional services over the next decade. Additionally, the Women's Policy for the Victorian Corrections System provides an evidence-based framework for addressing the specific issues and offending pathways of female inmates.
Work Opportunities and Transitional Support:
Australian women's prisons often provide opportunities for inmates to work during their sentences, helping them develop valuable work habits and skills. This can include work release programs that allow inmates to gain real-world work experience while serving their time. Transitional staff are available in Victorian prisons to assist prisoners in preparing for their release and reintegration into the community.
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Women's prison programs in Australia
Prisons for women in Australia are designed to rehabilitate prisoners and help them successfully return to the community after release from custody. For instance, Bandyup Women's Prison, a female prison east of Perth, provides prisoners with work and other prison-based opportunities and activities, including self-development and therapeutic programs. The prison also offers a smoke-free pilot program that has been beneficial to the prisoners. Bandyup Women's Prison also acknowledges the importance of maintaining prisoners' family relationships and links with their community.
The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC), a women's prison based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, is another example of a prison with programs aimed at rehabilitating women prisoners. The DPFC offers a wide range of program opportunities for prisoners to assist in their rehabilitation and successful return to the community. The prison collects personal information about prisoners, offenders, their families, and prison visitors to assess the risks for women when they are returning to the community. DPFC also implements trauma-informed practices that recognize the impacts of trauma on behaviour and decision-making.
The Deer Park Metropolitan Women's Correctional Centre (MWCC), located in Deer Park, Victoria, is a maximum-security women's prison that was the first privately-owned prison in Victoria. As of 2008, it was Victoria's largest women's prison, holding 604 prisoners. MWCC provides prisoners with access to phone calls, meetings, and video conferences with professional visitors, such as lawyers and medical professionals.
In addition to these state-based programs, there are also specialized women's centres in Australia, such as Silverwater Women's, Dillwynia, and Emu Plains, which offer residential programs for women with children. These programs recognize the unique needs of women offenders, who are most commonly in custody for illicit drug offences (23.7%) and property offences (18.3%). Furthermore, 45% of women in custody have experienced domestic violence or abuse as an adult, highlighting the importance of trauma-informed practices in rehabilitation.
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Women's prison visitor rules in Australia
In Australia, visitors are welcome at all Western Australian (WA) women's prisons, and family and friends are encouraged to maintain contact with prisoners throughout their sentence. Visits are considered important in preparing prisoners for their life in the community post-release. Visitors are expected to dress appropriately for the prison environment, and to preserve the good order, security, and safety of the prison. The specific dress code requirements vary across different correctional centres, but some general guidelines include not wearing hooded jumpers or jackets, scarves, handkerchiefs, hats, or sunglasses. Visitors are also typically not permitted to bring in personal items such as wallets, purses, jewellery, cigarettes, lighters, or mobile phones. Some prisons may also require visitors to fill out a Visitor Declaration Form and produce identification. It is important to note that any attempt to bring banned substances or items into a prison may result in legal charges and a refusal of future entry.
When planning a visit to a women's prison in Australia, it is advisable to check the specific rules and guidelines of the correctional centre. Each centre may have unique regulations regarding visitor dress codes, booking procedures, and prohibited items. Some centres may require advance booking, especially if you are a new visitor. Additionally, certain women's prisons offer special visit bookings for professionals or remote visitors. These visits can often be arranged through dedicated phone lines, email addresses, or online portals.
It is worth noting that the experience of visiting a women's prison in Australia can vary depending on the security level of the facility. For example, maximum-security prisons may have stricter rules and regulations compared to minimum-security facilities. In some cases, physical contact with inmates, such as hugging, may be restricted in maximum-security settings but permitted in more family-friendly environments.
To ensure a smooth and positive visiting experience, it is essential to comply with the prison rules and respect the privacy and safety protocols in place. Visitors should also be prepared for security screenings, which may include searches of their persons and vehicles using metal detectors and drug detection dogs. These measures are implemented to maintain the safety and security of everyone involved.
By understanding and adhering to the visitor rules, you can contribute to a positive experience for both yourself and the prisoner you are visiting. Remember that the specific regulations may vary across different women's prisons in Australia, so it is always advisable to review the guidelines provided by the correctional centre you plan to visit.
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Frequently asked questions
Women's prisons in Australia vary greatly. For example, the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Victoria is a maximum-security prison, while Bandyup Women's Prison in Western Australia is a smoke-free prison that offers work and other prison-based opportunities and activities, including self-development and therapeutic programs. Another female remand centre in Western Australia allows makeup and rollies, and another allows children to stay with their mothers.
Visitors to Australian women's prisons are expected to dress appropriately and may be searched when they enter prison grounds. Visitors to Adelaide Women's Prison are required to have 100 points of identification and arrive 20 minutes early to be recorded onto biometrics. Visitors to Bandyup Women's Prison can pay money into the accounts of prisoners, and children are welcome to visit, but they must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Women are often released from prison with only the clothes they were arrested in, and they may struggle to adapt to life outside, especially with regard to technology. Organisations such as the Miranda Project and the Women's Justice Network help vulnerable women when exiting prison, for example, by providing them with housing, clothing, and counselling.
