The Wire

A new women’s prison has just opened for business today in New South Wales. Named Dillwynia, after a yellow-flowered shrub, it’s a minimum to medium security prison with brand spanking new facilities that can hold up to 200 people. Australia has seen an increase in women being locked up by 78% between 1995 and 2002, but the new general manager of Dillwynia believes this jail is not just about taking more prisoners. Marilyn Wright says the new prison is a necessary addition to New South Wales, because most of the state’s female prisoners were previously incarcerated at Mullawa,… where maximum security prisoners such as murderers mixed with the lowest classification prisoners, and even the mentally ill, who should not be in jail at all. In Dillwynia, medium to low classification prisoners will be able to do TAFE courses at the jail, such as hairdressing, beautician training, and learning to work in the hospitality industry. There has been much debate over the new $54 million dollar jail… with prisoner advocates strongly voicing their opposition, and arguing that the money could be better spent on alternatives to custody…. but how do the women themselves feel about it? Ariane Mintz spoke to five women from Guthrie House, a residential and rehabilitation centre, who have spent time in different jails in New South Wales.