In June, people from across the country gathered in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) for the 18th Reintegration Puzzle Conference – an annual event for those working in justice reform, as well as those with lived experience of prison and reintegration.
The conference brought together First Nations leaders, community workers, researchers, service providers and – most importantly – people who have spent time in prison.
Hosted by the Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), an advocacy organisation working to reduce incarceration and build a society that doesn’t respond to disadvantage with policing, the event was a powerful space for connection and learning.
With hundreds of attendees, the conference offered a chance to explore new ideas, build relationships, share experiences and support one another.
Talks focused on reintegration services, inspirational stories from people who have done time and deep wisdom from the Traditional Owners of the area – the Arrernte people. Presenters included:
- Social Reinvestment WA, on what Australia can learn from the justice systems of Scotland, Norway and Denmark;
- The MARA Project, on financial counselling and literacy programs in women’s prisons in Victoria;
- First Nations Youth Commissioners, on how to better support our youth and prevent imprisonment;
- Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA), on the importance of peer support – that is, support from people who have also been to prison – after release;
- The Salvation Army, on the difficulties of securing Working With Children Checks and meeting other employment requirements;
- ConFit Pathways, on the value of mentorship and fitness programs for young women after prison;
- and a wealth of presentations from people who have been in prison and are now working in justice advocacy.
About Time will be printing highlights from the conference in upcoming editions, because we know that, if we’re serious about improving outcomes for people leaving prison, we need to include those inside prison in the conversation too.
If you’d like to know more about a particular speaker or program, please get in touch.
Talks focused on reintegration services, inspirational stories from people who have done time and deep wisdom from the Traditional Owners of the area – the Arrernte people. Presenters included:
- Social Reinvestment WA, on what Australia can learn from the justice systems of Scotland, Norway and Denmark;
- The MARA Project, on financial counselling and literacy programs in women’s prisons in Victoria;
- First Nations Youth Commissioners, on how to better support our youth and prevent imprisonment;
- Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA), on the importance of peer support – that is, support from people who have also been to prison – after release;
- The Salvation Army, on the difficulties of securing Working With Children Checks and meeting other employment requirements;
- ConFit Pathways, on the value of mentorship and fitness programs for young women after prison;
- and a wealth of presentations from people who have been in prison and are now working in justice advocacy.
About Time will be printing highlights from the conference in upcoming editions, because we know that, if we’re serious about improving outcomes for people leaving prison, we need to include those inside prison in the conversation too.
If you’d like to know more about a particular speaker or program, please get in touch.
