NCJ Number
208896
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 34-37
Editor(s)
Larry Motiuk
Date Published
June 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes best practices developed in Western Australia in the management of women prisoners, specifically low security facilities
Abstract
In the 1990's, the women prisoner population in Western Australia increased significantly within a 5-year period. The women prisoner population doubled from 111 in 1995-1996 to 237 in 2000-2001. In 2001-2002, an investigation was undertaken to find best practice approaches to women’s corrections. A proposal was made for a purpose-build low-security prison for women. The aim was in the development of a progressive new philosophy, to achieve world’s best practice in the management of women prisoners. In 2001, the Metropolitan Low Security Prison for Women Project (LSPW) was established which culminated with the commissioning of the Boronia Prerelease Center for women offenders in May 2004. The focus of the Center was on the preparation of women for reentry into the community. The development of the Center was based on extensive research of the literature and best practice approaches and preferred models of service delivery. Boronia represents a new approach to management of women prisoners and recognizes the diverse needs of women.