Kelly Flanagan is a First Nations artist and writer with lived experience of the Victorian prison system. She is an advocate for women and social justice, drawing on her experience to challenge systemic harm. Kelly is currently writing her first book and is a proud member of Flat Out and the FIGJAM Collective.
I was due for parole in March, and my parole is approved but there is no housing for me to go to.
In my speech, I emphasised that strip searching is sexual assault disguised as prison safety. Strip searching is not about safety – and the data proves it.
Being kind is something I find really challenging at times.
Alcohol sets off both a physical allergy and a mental obsession.
The community is now watching, listening and aware of lockdowns inside our prisons. The persistence with media, radio and newspaper, and with emails and phone calls is finally paying off. Next – a protest. What else is left to do?
“Parole approved pending housing.” This is by far the worst sentence I have heard in prison.
I am a prisoner at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and have been since February 2022. I have no family in Melbourne that can visit me in person. Nor do they drop off property or top up my account with money. I solely rely on my wages from working a full-time job inside the prison.
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