How Prison Network helped Dana build a better life

“I’d always been good at doing just enough,” says Dana. “Just enough to stay in contact with my family. Just enough to hold onto some jobs. Just enough to hide my addictions (or so I thought).

“I blocked out everything, including being part of life.

“I have struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for 20 years and couldn’t see a way out of it. So, when I went to prison the first time, not surprisingly, I did just enough to get by.”

Imprisonment is dehumanising, isolating, and intimidating. The environment can impact prisoners’ mental and physical health, diminish hope, and reduce their capacity to create change.

“When I was released I hadn’t made any changes in my thinking,” Dana relates. “I managed to stay sober for a while, but that was short-lived.

“So, when I went to prison the second time, I realised that I had truly given up. I hadn’t tried to change. I was just waiting for it all to be over. I couldn’t blame anyone else. And holding on to anger and hurt was getting me nowhere.

“I had to change, or nothing was going to change.”

Making changes in prison

“So, this time in jail, I decided instead of just walking laps around the compound, I’d get fit, so I joined the fitness class,” Dana says. “Instead of having meaningless conversations, I’d join the Discussion Group. I’ll participate in things. I’ll ask for help. Because as hard as it was to admit, I needed it… And now I find it empowering to say, I still do.”

Prison Network (PN) has worked in Victorian prisons for nearly 80 years, delivering high-impact, evidence-based programs for women in prison, and wraparound support when they leave.

Women leaving prison encounter a range of challenges during their reintegration journey. The weight of stigma, diminished employment opportunities, and the struggle to secure stable housing due to a criminal history create significant challenges.

“After many conversations with (Senior Support Worker) Laurel in prison, I was given the opportunity by Prison Network to have my own place when I was released,” says Dana. “I was so reluctant at first because I certainly didn’t feel worthy of it. I didn’t know what Laurel saw in me to be given the chance, but I believed in her belief, and I took it. And I thank God every day that I did.”

Building a life on the outside

“It was the best thing that has ever happened to me,” says Dana. “I have responsibilities and expectations. I am part of a community. I am able to attend church and our gospel community. I am active in the Recovery Group, which though very overwhelming at the start due to my anxieties and self doubt, has become so significant in my change in confidence and ability to be part of something.”

The PN Recovery Group meets each fortnight online, and go on regular social outings and weekends away. Social events are very popular – they have done mini-golf, painting, paddling down the Yarra, paella cooking classes, and visited many galleries and public events. Through this program the women have found support, a place of belonging, community, and courage. Many members talk daily.

“Through all this I feel like I offer value to people’s lives now,” says Dana. “My relationships with my family are so much stronger now. I’m working. I have been out of prison for nine months now, and I still can’t believe I am the same person as I was before I went to prison.

“By ticking one box on a prison form asking for remand support, my life changed. Actually, my life began. By connecting with Prison Network and having the support of someone who truly believes in me, just enough will never be good enough anymore.

“It’s now time to be great.”

Testimonials from Prison Network’s clients

“I was part of the transitional housing program, and got out of prison because of PN, they offered me a transitional house in Box Hill, if I didn’t have that transitional house, I would have done three instead of two years in prison, because I had nowhere to go.”

“I went to prison when my daughter was two; I had a very long sentence, seven years. She would not have known her mum at all if it was not for Prison Network. It was not many hours, but we spent quality time together, and it created a good bond. She would remember that Christmas was fun or that we did such and such things. It helped build memories for her.”

“99% of women in prison have trust issues, Prison Network provides a safe person you can trust. I did not trust my family and friends but I did trust my PN volunteer who treated me as a human being.”

“Every time I attended PN programs; they really made me feel like a person instead of a prisoner, and you could tell they genuinely care about you, what you are going through, and they literally move mountains to help you.”

“I will forever be grateful for PN, they made me see that you can be different regardless of what you have done.”

“I don’t know what some of these women would do if they didn’t have the support of Prison Network and what it brings to us all. This group also helps us all not to reoffend as we are all accountable to one another. With their help and guidance, we all accept where we have been and where we are going.”

About the Community Grants Program

Every year the Sisters of Charity Foundation provides grants to small not-for-profits across Australia, like Prison Network, that use clever ways to fight disadvantage, loneliness, suffering and oppression.

Prison Network has received $50,000 through the Community Grants Program over the past five years: to provide women who are released from prison with transitional accommodation, to build and strengthen relationships between incarcerated women and their children, and to run a domestic violence support program for women who have been released from prison.

Learn more at Community Grants Program.