Article 13: Evaluation of the Community Based Health and First Aid ‘Sisters for Change’ Program (ACJ14-A013)

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #14 - What Else Works ... Volume 2 (ACJ14-A013)

Abstract

The Community-based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) programme empowers prisoners to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of their prison community. Prisoners in the CBHFA programme train to become Special Status Red Cross volunteers within their correctional facility. The programme brings prisoners, prison staff and Australian Red Cross together to identify, develop and implement health and wellbeing projects for their prison community. The programme is modelled on the acclaimed Irish Red Cross Prisons Programme that won the 2011 World Health Organization Award for best practice in prison health. The CBHFA programme in Australia is currently delivered at four Australian prisons. At the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre (TWCC) in Queensland, the CBHFA programme is called ‘Sisters for Change’. This article presents the key findings from an external evaluation of the CBHFA programme that showed significant outcomes for the prison community and beyond. Outcomes included that participants perceived the prison as safer, with fewer prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, and that the programme led to significant improvements in prisoner and officer relations, as well as participants feeling more hopeful and positive about the future, with boosted confidence, self-esteem and life skills. This paper outlines the key findings from Halsey and Bright’s 2020 inaugural evaluation of the Australian programme and identifies factors that other jurisdictions should consider when adopting the CBHFA programme. It will be of interest to correctional policy makers and practitioners alike, as it emphasizes the value of partnerships between the community sector and correctional centres in achieving significant outcomes for prisoners, correctional institutions, and the broader community.

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Authors

Rachel Montgomery

Team Leader, Community Justice and Partnerships, Community Programs Australian Red Cross, Australia

Rachel Montgomery leads the Red Cross justice team in Townsville, Queensland. She is passionate about community-led solutions and empowering the voices of people with lived experience. Through working in a range of justice programs in Townsville, she is embedded in the community and recognized for her ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. Rachel has certifications in project management, monitoring and evaluation, community development, and experience in contract management with government.

Louise Kneeshaw

General Manager, Queensland Corrective Services, Australia

Louise Kneeshaw has 30 years’ experience in Corrective Services in Queensland. She has an extensive history in operational corrective services roles in custodial environments; has managed community corrections operations regionally; and directed custodial operations state-wide. Louise was appointed Chief Superintendent at Townsville Correctional Complex in March 2020 and in that time has fostered women’s leadership, championed cultural change, and directed reforms to women’s custodial operations to more trauma informed approaches.