Integrating from prison to the community is a stressful and high-risk time for all justice involved people, but specifically for women, who may experience poorer mental health, increased risk for substance use, and greater difficulty finding employment or accommodation compared to men. This risk is even greater for women with cognitive disabilities. Few studies have focused on the intersection between gender and disability for people leaving prison. This project consists of three studies with a focus on examining supports for this group. This presentation will mainly focus on Study Three.
Study One was a systematic review of the literature regarding recidivism and reintegration among formerly-incarcerated women with cognitive disability. Consistent with expectations, only 12 studies were eligible for inclusion in this review illustrating the lack of research examining reintegration among women with cognitive disability. Study Two was a two-part survey of support organisations and individual workers. Of the 12,345 disability organisations invited to this study, 90 organisations Australia-wide indicated that they provide support to formerly-incarcerated women with cognitive disability.
Study Three explored the lived experienced of reintegration for women with cognitive disability through a series of qualitative interviews with three women and two of their family members. A structured narrative analysis of their stories was performed, identifying themes including the work of receiving support, and the role of informal supports. As a whole, these studies provide an understanding of this groups’ experience of navigating reintegration and support networks while highlighting the need for inclusive and accessible research.
Presenters
Rose is currently completing her Doctor of Psychology at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University. She is completing her Doctoral thesis under the supervision of Dr Margaret Nixon and Dr Rachael Fullam. She has also conducted research exploring victim-offender overlap among people with cognitive disability.
Rose works as a clinician in a forensic disability service, providing offense-specific assessment and treatment to people with cognitive disability in the community. She has a professional background in supporting participants to transition from prison to the community and has also worked in the homelessness, aged care, NDIS and community mental health sectors.
