Published Wednesday, 25 July, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
SISTERS GET HELP ON THE OUTSIDE
Eighty-four women recently released from prison will get the best chance of integrating back into the community, housing and work on a government funded jobs project.
Acting Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Desley Boyle today announced renewed funding to Sisters Inside with a $144,940 grant that will allow the Women Exiting Prison Program to continue until June 2008.
“We have worked with Sisters Inside since 2004 to give newly released prisoners training and support to get their lives on track,” Ms Boyle said.
“In this time 76 people have been assisted and of these 21 have found work or moved on to better themselves through further training.
“Women in this group can be at considerable disadvantage and find themselves marginalised after their release from prison.
“Participants will have access to accredited training to improve their job prospects and reduce the likelihood of welfare reliance and recidivism.”
Sisters Inside Director Debbie Kilroy said the project helps participants secure accommodation, access Centrelink payments and generally re-establish themselves and their children back in the community.
“These women have specific needs and issues that are addressed through the program,” Ms Kilroy said.
“They will get a skills audit to determine their needs and access to training which may include literacy and numeracy, communication, work skills, community participation, working in groups and accredited vocational training.“
The funding for the project is provided through Queenslanders Working Together, a federally funded program administered through the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than
124,000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Sisters Inside Director Debbie Kilroy on 3844 5066 or deb@sistersinside.com.au
Media contact: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
July 25, 2007
Acting Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Desley Boyle today announced renewed funding to Sisters Inside with a $144,940 grant that will allow the Women Exiting Prison Program to continue until June 2008.
“We have worked with Sisters Inside since 2004 to give newly released prisoners training and support to get their lives on track,” Ms Boyle said.
“In this time 76 people have been assisted and of these 21 have found work or moved on to better themselves through further training.
“Women in this group can be at considerable disadvantage and find themselves marginalised after their release from prison.
“Participants will have access to accredited training to improve their job prospects and reduce the likelihood of welfare reliance and recidivism.”
Sisters Inside Director Debbie Kilroy said the project helps participants secure accommodation, access Centrelink payments and generally re-establish themselves and their children back in the community.
“These women have specific needs and issues that are addressed through the program,” Ms Kilroy said.
“They will get a skills audit to determine their needs and access to training which may include literacy and numeracy, communication, work skills, community participation, working in groups and accredited vocational training.“
The funding for the project is provided through Queenslanders Working Together, a federally funded program administered through the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than
124,000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Sisters Inside Director Debbie Kilroy on 3844 5066 or deb@sistersinside.com.au
Media contact: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
July 25, 2007