Seeds of Affinity

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:31): Last week, the members for Hurtle Vale and Port Adelaide and I met with women from Seeds of Affinity. The women talked about their programs and the lack of government support vulnerable women receive. I welcome women from Seeds of Affinity who have joined us in the gallery today. The rate of imprisonment for women, particularly Aboriginal women, continues to grow at an alarming rate. Criminalised and imprisoned women are amongst the most vulnerable in our community. We in this place have a duty to improve women's transition out of prison and into a successful life of the woman's choosing.

There are many factors that lead women to become imprisoned, and each case is unique. Linda Fisk is the co-founder of Seeds of Affinity. Her childhood was difficult. She grew up in an alcoholic and violent environment. Her own experiences led to an early life of drugs, crime and imprisonment. In this context, Linda and her parole officer, Anna Kemp, created Seeds of Affinity. They recognised the gap in support services for women both in prison and trying to leave prison.

Linda's personal experience transitioning out of gaol and Anna's role in assisting those coming out of gaol have framed Seeds of Affinity's programs. Recognising that every woman's experience is different, Seeds of Affinity try to cater to individuals. They offer a combination of community group activities and social enterprise projects to actively engage criminalised women as both providers and recipients of support.

The programs run by Seeds of Affinity offer a safe and supportive space for women to talk about their experiences, meet new people and build a sense of community. Over the past 12 years Seeds has been conducting workshops and information sessions inside the Adelaide Women's Prison, supported individuals both pre- and post-release, provided community education, produced literature and training manuals and created prison toiletry packs.

It is incredible to think that Seeds of Affinity has been able to achieve so much with such little funding. It shows the resilience of these women and their drive to assist those who want to create a better life. Seeds of Affinity rely on donations, volunteers and their social enterprise to operate. New women are encouraged to participate in the social enterprise. Women make products such as toiletries and baked goods. By participating in these activities, women experience working alongside people in a cooperative environment. This assists with the social and emotional wellbeing of prisoners. From participating in this social enterprise, women not only build a sense of belonging but also skills that prepare them for bigger tasks.

Every participant within Seeds of Affinity's programs has a reduced rate of offending and many have not reoffended since their involvement with the organisation. Women's recidivism rate in Australia is 50 to 60 per cent within two years of release. In sharp contrast, Seeds of Affinity has a success rate much higher than this: seven out of 10 women involved between 2006 and 2015 have remained out of prison for more than five years.

Linda once said in an interview that prison is not how we improve the lives of women, that that can only happen in the community. Many of the women involved with Seeds programs continue to engage with the community and have returned to Seeds of Affinity for support when they felt at risk. Women have gone on to regain custody of their children, secure housing and employment or engage with further education and training. Some have even taken on leadership roles within the organisation, strengthening the organisation's reach to more vulnerable women.

Recently the 'Reducing Reoffending: 10% by 2020' report had bipartisan support. It recognised that women leaving prison require a targeted, tailored response if they are to successfully return to and stay in the community. However, in South Australia there are currently no funding organisations that provide that service. We have a responsibility to highlight this gap in the system and to create opportunities for women who want to be part of our community. When women are encouraged to share their own strategies and participate in organisations such as Seeds of Affinity they become empowered.