- Minister for Corrections
The Andrews Labor Government today announced the appointment of Ingrid Stitt as the Chair of the Women's Correctional Services Advisory Committee.
The Member for Western Metropolitan is a highly experienced advocate with a successful career spanning 25 years in the Australian Services Union.
During that time, she served as the National Vice President and the Victorian Branch Secretary, before being elected in 2018 as the Member for Western Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council
Established in 2003, the committee provides independent advice to the Minister for Corrections to inform gender-responsive approaches to policies, programs and services for women in the Victorian corrections system.
Advice provided by the committee can include information about women's health and disability, family violence, children and families, housing, Aboriginal communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and criminal justice and law.
The Chair is a two-year voluntary position, with Ms Stitt replacing current Chair and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP, who completed her term late this year.
The Labor Government invested $237 million in the 2019-20 Victorian Budget to support Victoria's women's prison system.
This includes almost $20 million to support the first stage of initiatives under the recently developed Women's Diversion and Rehabilitation Strategy, including for services and programs focused on reducing the number of women in prison.
As noted by Minister for Corrections Ben Carroll
"Ingrid Stitt has a wealth of experience in advocating for women and brings her leadership expertise to the role - and I congratulate her on her appointment."
"I also want to thank Maree Edwards for her outstanding work in the role during a significant time of reforms for the women's system."
As noted by Women's Correctional Services Advisory Committee Chair Ingrid Stitt
"I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Women's Correctional Services Advisory Committee and look forward to working with the entire committee to provide innovative advice to the Minister to improve the lives of women prisoners."
