The S.H.A.R.E. PROGRAMSexual Identity, Health, Acceptance,

Relationships and Esteemat Ararat Prison, Victoria, Australia

Our Journey

A Support Group for Gay Prisoners

SHARE MILESTONESIn the beginning was the word, and the word was

Complaint Letter

April 2008,

A prisoner writes complaining that there are

no support services or programs for gay prisoners

April 2008 – July 2008

Discussions Commence with Grampians Community Health

How do we kick this thing off?How do we kick this thing off?

Product Knowledge Local Knowledge Skilled Counsellors Subject Matter Experts

SHARE MILESTONES

September 2008 – Ready To Go

How Many Attended?

STAFF INFORMATION AND AWARENESS

SESSION.Grampians Community Health are providing an

opportunity for STAFF to attend an information

session outlining the aims and objectives of the Gay Prisoners Support Group.

SHARE MILESTONES

Gay Prisoners Support GroupA forum to discuss men’s health and wellbeing

issues for gay prisoners.

Thursday 18 September 2008Thursday 2,16 & 30 October 2008Thursday 13 & 27 November 2008Thursday 11 & 18 December 2008

TIME: 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.

Our First Advertising

Poster

9 Prisoners Attended the First Meeting

By December

16 regular attendees

The Beginning of SILO’s

SILO’s = Sexual Identity Liaison Officers

Custodial staff who assume a voluntary role providing information, support, advice and assistance to prisoners who may be gay,

bisexual or transgender.

SHARE MILESTONES

Will anyone even volunteer for this role?

2008, a Year in Review…2008, a Year in Review…

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT SO FAR?

Gay Prisoners Support Group

A forum to discuss men’s health and

wellbeing issues for gay prisoners.

Name Calling – SHAFT Program Weathering The Storm – Prisoners & Programs Team It’s All About Location, Location At Least We Are Talking About It BBQ’s attract freeloaders & sticky beaks The Program is valuable and could really go places

2009 Climbing Every Mountain…

The Group create their own SHARE Document covering: Program Purpose Core Principles Meeting Agenda & Practices Discussion Topics Program Timetable

SHARE MILESTONES

2009 Climbing Every Mountain…

Stakeholder Relationship Management is hard work.

Internal Relationship Management is even more hard work…

SHARE MILESTONES

2009 SILO’s ARE HERE…

July 2009 – SILO’s Position Description approved July 2009 – SILO Expression of Interest – 6 applicants Sept 2009 – SILO Training run with Scott Davis VicPol & Anne

Mitchell –GLHV Sept 2009 – Internal Promotion of Program

SHARE MILESTONES

2009 Climbing Every Mountain…

Sept 2009 – MCV, Southern Star & DNA Magazine introduced for prisoners

Sept 2009 – MCV & Southern Star request interviews Oct 2009 – GM approves family lunch celebration Oct 2009 – SHARE Calendar for 2010 introduced

SHARE MILESTONES

2009, a Year in Review…2009, a Year in Review…

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT?

The Group Needs Structure and Guidance It’s Still All About Location, Location Tolerance Versus Acceptance is hard to distinguish The Group is not yet self sustainable Program Promotion is Still a Challenge Continued SILO’s Education

2009, a Year in Review…2009, a Year in Review…

Southern Star Oct 2009

The Evolution of Branding

Gay Prisoners Support GroupA forum to discuss men’s health

and wellbeing issues for gay prisoners.

S.H.A.R.E.Sexual identity, Health,

Acceptance, Relationships and Esteem

SHARPSexual identity, Health,

Acceptance, Relationships for Prisoners

2009, a Year in Review…2009, a Year in Review…

2010, What’s Next….

Joy FM – Melbourne’s Gay Radio Station Interview Expansion To Other Prisons Community Involvement – PFLAG, CAN, ALSO, SILO Recruitment and Ongoing Development National Program Exposure Sustainability of the Program