What actions did imprisoned women take to resist harsh conditions in Victorian prisons during the late 1980s and 1990s?

During the late 1980s and 1990s in Victoria, a united front of imprisoned women resisted harsh prison conditions. Their main goal was to prevent further harm and deaths in custody, particularly in facilities like Pentridge Prison, where punitive segregation was on the rise. These women collaborated to voice their grievances and push for improved conditions within the Victorian prison system.

What role did activist groups play in challenging the treatment of women in Victorian prisons, and how did they attempt to influence the Office of Corrections (OOC)?

The Office of Corrections (OOC) was pressured by activists to implement changes addressing discriminatory conditions and preventing harm to women in prison. Activists used equal opportunity law, government lobbying, and formalized complaints to challenge the treatment of women behind bars. However, the text reveals that while these efforts led to some progress, lasting change within a system designed to perpetuate inequality remains a significant challenge.

What was the Banksia Unit, and how did its creation reflect both reform efforts and potential concerns within the Victorian prison system?

The annexation of the Banksia Unit at Barwon Prison was officially presented as a way to ensure 'equal access' to programs and services for women. However, it also sanctioned holding women in a men's prison, raising concerns about their safety and well-being. This situation reflects the complex interplay between resistance, policy, and power within the Victorian prison system and raises questions about the true effectiveness and motivations behind such reforms.

According to the information, what fundamental shift is needed to truly dismantle carceral violence, beyond simple reform efforts in Victoria?

Dismantling carceral violence requires going beyond reform towards alternative analyses and strategies that challenge the very foundations of imprisonment. While reformist efforts may bring temporary progress, they often fail to address the root causes of systemic injustice. Institutions can co-opt campaign critiques and consolidate penal power, making it essential to challenge the underlying principles and structures that perpetuate inequality and violence within the system.

A woman breaks free from prison, flowers bloom in her wake.

Beyond the Bars: How Carceral Violence Sparks Waves of Reform and Resistance

Q: What were the primary factors that drove the correctional reform movement in Victoria's women's prison system by 1991?

By 1991, several factors influenced the correctional reform movement in Victoria's women's prison system. These included increasing overcrowding in prisons such as Fairlea and Tarrengower due to a surge in the number of incarcerated women, campaigns highlighting the discriminatory treatment of imprisoned women, and amendments to the Victorian Equal Opportunity (Amended) Act 1987, which allowed for legal challenges to systemic discrimination. These forces combined to push for reforms within the prison system.

Nico Varela in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the dynamic interplay between women's resistance, systemic violence, and the quest for meaningful change in the Victorian prison system."

From the late 1980s through the 1990s, a powerful force emerged within the walls of Victorian prisons: a united front of imprisoned women. Forging collaborations that transcended the concrete and steel, these women dared to resist and voice their grievances against the harsh realities of their confinement. Their focus was clear: improve prison conditions to prevent further harm and deaths in custody, an urgent priority underscored by the rise of punitive segregation in facilities like Pentridge Prison.

Amidst this era of sustained and excessive carceral violence, significant activist energy, resources, and labor were channeled into formal and legal avenues. Equal opportunity law, government lobbying, and formalized complaints became tools to challenge the treatment and conditions endured by women behind bars. Activists aimed to pressure the Office of Corrections (OOC) into implementing short-term changes, reducing the discriminatory conditions and fatal harm that had become rampant.

Yet, as the Victorian experience reveals, the path to reform is fraught with limitations. While these efforts brought moments of progress, the underlying question remains: How can genuine, lasting change be achieved within a system designed to perpetuate inequality?

What Drives Carceral Violence Reform? Resistance & the Official Response

A woman breaks free from prison, flowers bloom in her wake.

By 1991, a confluence of factors drove the correctional reform movement in Victoria's women's prison system. First, overcrowding soared as the number of incarcerated women surged, straining the capacity of Fairlea and Tarrengower prisons. The OOC cited the need for more beds to alleviate this pressure, with women's prisoner numbers climbing by 89% between 1984 and 1990, dwarfing the 18% increase among men during the same period. Factors like social security fraud, drug-related offenses, and remission rates contributed to this sharp rise.

The discriminatory treatment of imprisoned women ignited inside-out campaigns. Resistance from Fairlea and Pentridge prisons throughout the 1980s put pressure on the OOC to acknowledge the distinct experiences and needs of women within the system, prompting calls for tailored approaches. Amendments to the Victorian Equal Opportunity (Amended) Act 1987 empowered the Victorian Commissioner to investigate systemic discrimination, paving the way for legal challenges and further amplifying the voices of imprisoned women.

Rising Prison Population: Overcrowding in women's prisons created pressure for reform.
Inside-Out Resistance: Activist campaigns highlighted discriminatory treatment.
Legal and Policy Shifts: Amendments to equal opportunity laws provided new avenues for challenging discrimination.

These forces shaped the OOC's decision to annex the new men's Barwon Prison, including a women-only high-security section known as the Banksia Unit. While presented as a means to ensure 'equal access' to programs and services, this move marked the official sanctioning of holding women in men's prisons, raising concerns about safety and well-being.

Beyond Reform: Dismantling Carceral Violence

The history of carceral violence and reform in Victoria reveals a complex interplay of resistance, policy, and power. While reformist efforts have brought moments of progress, they often fall short of addressing the root causes of systemic injustice. The capacity of institutions to co-opt campaign critiques and consolidate penal power remains a persistent challenge for activists. Ultimately, dismantling carceral violence requires a move beyond reform towards alternative analyses and strategies that challenge the very foundations of imprisonment.