WELCOME to the third issue of the S.T.O.P. campaign newsletter. As you can see thanks to the artistic talents of Denise and Dallas the campaign now has its official slogan. Watch out for it on posters, badges and t-shirts! Since the last newsletter, everyone has been very busy organising particular events and actions. The information stand at the 'Young Women's Health Conference' was a huge success and well supported by those attending the conference. Also, thanks to Claire the first official campaign fundraiser has been organised at the Nova Cinema on May 2^nd, so make sure you bring along your family, friends and co-workers!

Where: Nova Cinema, Lygon Court, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton

When: Tuesday 2^nd May

Time: 7.00pm

Ticket Prices: $12 /$7 Conc

Campaign Petition - The new campaign petition is now being circulated thanks to Jim's hard work. If anyone has an earlier draft, please can you throw it out & obtain the new version from the campaign group. If you are unsure which copy you have please call Catherine on: 9489-6276.

Can anyone donate an audiocassette player for a woman in prison? If so, please contact Catherine on 9317-7818 or 9489-6276

RESOURCES ARE NEEDED FOR THE WOMEN PRISONER'S ART EXHIBITION

CAN ANYONE DONATE:

• A bridle veil?
• Artificial Red Roses?
• Easels?
• Paints?

If so, please contact Dallas @ Flat Out - Ph: 9417-6984, all donations will be gratefully received!

The deaths of women shortly after leaving prison has been identified by prison activists, community workers and prisoner advocates for a long time, yet it is a problem that has yet to be recognised and addressed by Government, prison operators and other correctional agencies.

In 1996, Somebody's Daughter Theatre Company held a memorial performance dedicated to 63 recently released women who had died since 1990. Tragically, a study currently being undertaken by Sandy Cook and Sue Davies at La Trobe University has revealed that the number of women who have died after release from prison is much higher. In fact, this study has found that between 1987 and 1997 at least 93 women have died.

To date, their study has examined material relating to the deaths of 62 women who died during this ten-year period, and they have tentatively found that:

• Of the 62 women, 2 [3.2%] women died of natural causes; 4 [6.4%] women died as a result of violence; 6 [9.6%] women committed suicide; 5 [8%] women died in motor vehicle accidents; and 45 [72.6%] women died of drug-related causes;
• Of the 45 women who died of drug related causes, the two youngest were 19 years of age and the oldest was aged 49;
• Only 6 [13.4%] of these 45 deaths involved the exclusive use of heroin, while 34 of the deaths were caused by mixed drug toxicity;
• 17 [37.8%] women who died of drug-related causes died in temporary accommodation, while 12 [26.7%] women died in public spaces such as car parks, railway stations or on the street.

  [Figures quoted from: S. Cook & S. Davies 'Dying Outside: Women, Parole and Post-Release Mortality' Conference Paper, 2^nd Australian Conference of Parole Boards & Offenders Review Boards, 1999]

These deaths, and the tragic deaths of other women who have died in the last three years, raise serious concerns about not only the adequacy of pre and post-release services, but also the general issue of women's criminalisation and imprisonment.

Many Victorian studies have found that a majority of women who are imprisoned come from back-grounds of extreme social and economic disadvantage; sexual, physical and/or mental abuse; unemployment and minimal education. Department of Justice figures show that many women prisoners have a history of drug dependency, and are commonly imprisoned for drug-related crimes. Figures also show that women tend to be imprisoned for much shorter periods than men [ABS, 1998], however during their imprisonment they are much more likely to lose custody of their children, and access to livable incomes and housing.

Consequently, when women leave prison they are more likely to have no place to go, no money, no food, no clothes, leave without their children and family, and with little or no support. The S.T.O.P. [Surviving Time Outside Prison] Campaign has been instigated by a broad and diverse group of people who have come together to end the deaths of women leaving prison. The S.T.O.P. Campaign aims to increase public and community awareness relating to these issues, and to call on the Victorian Government to seriously consider the issues surrounding women's imprisonment and deaths post-release and to adopt the S.T.O.P. Campaign's recommendations and demands.

PORT PHILIP PRISON CORONIAL INQUEST

Inquest findings are to be handed down:

Thursday 27/4/2000 @ 10AM

State Coroners Court - 57 Kavanagh Street, Southbank 3006

Port Philip Prison, Victoria's third private prison was opened on 10^th September 1997. In the first twelve months, nine male prisoners died in the prison and there were dozens of reports of attempted suicide and self-mutilations. The Government & Group have persistently referred to these "incidents" as the outcomes of "teething problems".

In June last year, the coronial inquests into the unnatural deaths of five men during the prison's first six months of operation began. During the inquests, numerous issues directly relating to Group 4's management of prisoners were examined.

On 27^th April 2000 @ 10am, almost two and a half years after the first death at the prison, the State Coroner Mr Graeme Johnstone will hand down findings.

It is important that everyone attend the inquest to show their anger and concern over the alarming number of deaths in custody and to call for immediate State Government action in order to prevent further deaths in the future.

Victorian Deaths in Custody Watch Committee [VDICWC],
P.O Box 1467,
Collingwood 3066,
pjan@vicnet.net.au
Contact Singh on: 9470-5058

If you have anything you'd like to see in the newsletter or just want more info: contact Cherrie on 9479-3684 or Natalie on 9489-3635