At Brisbane Synod 2024, The Ven Bronwyn Pagram moved, with Dr Stephen Harrison seconding:
That this Synod urges the State Government, as a matter of urgency and in the interests of maintaining the human dignity of all those being released from prison, to explore ways to provide adequate resources to enable those being released from prison to consistently do so safely, effectively and with dignity.
People being released from prison are provided with limited assistance within the correctional system. Most post-release services are simply listed on websites or made available only via application for assistance; some applications can only be made after the person has been released. Personal items are returned to prisoners as they exit the prison. Persons who have been incarcerated for long periods often find their clothes do not fit or are no longer suitable. Centrelink payments may take seven days to arrive, leaving a gap where it is difficult to access food, medicine and accommodation. Prisoners often have broken relationships, making them vulnerable and reliant on family, friends or charitable services to obtain support to navigate available services and emergency funding and how to apply for them. In the meantime, many find themselves homeless or in great distress.
Prisoners are provided with information about release from prison during their induction IN to prison. After that, it is up to them to access case workers who come into the prison who might be able to help them.
People who serve custodial prison sentences are released in one of two main ways. Parole, where the prisoner is released to community-based supervision after completing part of their sentence. All others released are colloquially called ‘full-timers.’ There are of course nuances we will not deal with today.
Parole provides direct supervision and significant ‘wraparound’ support to the person released into the community. These include navigating welfare, counselling, finding permanent housing, employment and more. These are hugely important to enabling successful re-integration to society, and rebuilding relationships important to the prisoner. [[It is also hugely important where the person is incarcerated in a state they are not normally resident in; on parole you may not leave the state… thus folks may be very vulnerable without help ]]
In contrast to support provided to those on parole, full-timers receive no special support. They are simply released. They’ve done their time.
Those movies where you see a prisoner walk out the gate and look around and see no one to greet them are sometimes true. Stories are even told of full-timers being deposited at the front gate of the prison and being given directions to walk to the nearest train station, as no transport is provided.
Some ex-prisoners may desire to stay away from family or friends with whom they got into trouble in the past. Some have family or friends who don’t want anything to do with them. These folks are particularly alone.
In the prisons, we are grateful that First Nations people have cultural liaison support. However, other culturally and linguistically diverse people receive almost no specialised supports to navigate these processes. One of our Sudanese priests tells a story of once visiting a gaol with one of our Anglican chaplains. It had taken some months to get approval to visit. When African inmates saw an ethnic-African pastor walk in to the room, they flocked to him. They told their stories. They talked about how they had got in to trouble… how they did not understand the prison system… and how alone they felt. They were so happy to see someone they could speak with – in their own language, and who they knew they could trust. It meant a great deal to them.
The confusion and pain many feel at their lack of or mis-understanding is great. Further, the inability to freely share their story and needs with those who understand their language and culture hurts deeply… it also adds to the complexity of accessing assistance.
The three agencies in Queensland available to support parolees are experiencing unprecedented demand for their services. A fourth has lost most of their funding. Only one agency provides specific support to full-timers, by video-link or in-person in Brisbane. It’s mainly counselling… Crucial… but not going to get a roof over your head or food in your belly. And not that helpful if you’re in a regional area or don’t have a phone.
A primary condition for parole release is suitable housing to go to. With the current housing crisis, many prisoners eligible for parole are having to serve their parole time in gaol, as they cannot access suitable housing and thus be released. Thus more and more prisoners are being released as full-timers… meaning no bridging support to enable their successful community re-integration.
Every person I have spoken to identifies lack of access to suitable housing as the biggest issue in the system.
A high proportion of full-timers are extremely vulnerable, with their human dignity often impaired. Many end up homeless or in great distress. Some sleep rough. Some squat in empty buildings. Some might get lucky and couch-surf. A case worker told me of a recent full timer who was advised to take a centrelink $500 loan and buy a tent to live in, as it would be virtually impossible to get accommodation. In the church we meet some of these folks at our food pantries or welfare services, or at Anglicare for counselling. They need shelter, food, clothing, sleeping bags and someone who cares enough to listen and give them a hand up.
This motion encourages the State Government to explore ways to provide adequate release resources to all those being released from prison. Not just those in parole but for those full-timers who need it as well. And also for CALD folks who may benefit from cultural liaison.
Whether community-based support services similar to those available to those on parole… or game-changing ‘half-way housing’… this motion encourages the government to identify options and funding to make a difference.
I have also been encouraged by the interest shown by many in the Anglican Church who stand ready to engage with this exploration, and to explore how interested parishes and mission agencies may collaborate in service.
Our diocese has a goal of enabling the flourishing of all people. We believe this is the desire of our loving God. To that end, can we include people who are being released from prison? Can we see them as people? Can we dig deep and engage with this issue on an ongoing basis, either in advocacy, or providing services and support to bring dignity and joy to people who sorely need it.
The Venerable Bronwyn Pagram is Archdeacon of Brisbane West.
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