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Pip Wisdom Community Corrections Grants 2010-2013

The Pip Wisdom Community Corrections Grants are named after Pip Wisdom, a senior public servant in the corrections system who contributed significantly to the advancement of the role of non-government agencies in providing correctional services in Victoria.

The grants are designed to assist in the successful transition of prisoners back into the community following their release from custody. Totalling $500,000 per annum, they provide community agencies with funding to delivery programs and services that contribute to the Corrections Victoria reducing reoffending framework.

Grants are provided on a three yearly basis, with the most recent round of grants covering the period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2013. Grants have been allocated to the following services for the current three-year funding cycle:

• Crisis Accommodation Support for a Successful Transition (CASST) assists remand prisoners who are experiencing accommodation crisis. CASST is provided by the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO).
• The Vietnamese Support Program provides a range of services, including personal support, family support and in-prison sports and cultural events for Indo-Chinese prisoners and offenders across a number of prison locations. This program is provided by the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Welfare Association.
• The EW Tipping Foundation’s Transitional Housing and Living Centre will provide supported accommodation to prisoners and offenders with a mental illness or disability. Participants will be provided with accommodation and living skills training and support for a period of four months after release, and will be supported to secure long-term accommodation.
• Muslim Connect is a pre- and post-release mentoring program for Muslim prisoners and offenders.  The Islamic Council of Victoria will provide this service in a number of prison locations. Participants will be provided with personal, cultural and spiritual support in the final stages of their sentences and for up to two years in the community.
• The African Visitation and Mentoring Program (AVAMP) matches prisoners and offenders from African nations with volunteer mentors, who will provide support both in custody and after release. AVAMP is provided by Jesuit Social Services and will run in several prison locations.
• The Prison Network Ministries’ Pre and Post-release Support Program provides a range of services to women prisoners both in prison and after release. Services include practical support and assistance for women released from prison; sport, craft and cooking activities at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Tarrengower Prison; “Fun with Mum” facilitated activities for visiting children at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and transport services for children and other family members of women prisoners.
• Shine for Kids Prison Invisits Program provides activities for children of prisoners to participate in with their incarcerated parent during visits on weekends. Prison Invisits runs at Barwon Prison and the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.
• Stepping Up Stepping Out (SUSO) is a transition support program for prisoners at Judy Lazarus Transitional Centre. It is provided by the Stepping Up Consortium which is made up of Taskforce Community Agency, Interact Australia, Odyssey House Victoria, and Youth Projects. 
• VACRO’s Family Links Innovation Project (FLIP) provides crisis support to families visiting their relatives at the Melbourne Assessment Prison.
• The Bridge Employment, Support and Training Program (BEST) provides employment-related training and support to young prisoners aged up to 25 at the Metropolitan Remand Centre. The program provides participants will work and life skills training, vocational assessment and supported employment placements on release.  The BEST Program is provided by the YMCA.

Further information about the grants can be obtained by contacting the Reintegration Programs Branch at Corrections Victoria.