The Justice Transition Alliance is a collaborative network that raises awareness of the systemic challenges in transition out of Victoria's criminal justice system and recommends evidence-based solutions. VACRO is proud to be a founding member of this network, with our Development Manager Melanie Field-Pimm serving as convener.

The network brings together reintegration service providers, academics, people with lived experience of imprisonment, and passionate community members with an interest in transition from the Victorian justice system. It was born from the Australian After Prison Network and established in 2020. 

Our history

The After Prison Network was founded in 2019 to develop a unified voice regarding the systemic issues facing people across Australia as they leave prison. The network was founded through the efforts of the long-running Reintegration Puzzle conference, which was founded in 2005 and is coordinated by Deakin University.

Our purpose

The Justice Transition Alliance works to ensure people leaving prison and their families are supported to live a positive life.

We work collaboratively to raise awareness of the systemic challenges in transition support that keep people revolving through the criminal justice system, and recommend evidence-based solutions.

We inform and advocate for change that alleviates ongoing harm to people in contact with the justice system.

What we believe

• People in contact with the justice system and their families deserve the opportunity to live a positive life.
• Transition out of the justice system is challenging, and people need support to navigate their return to community.
• The revolving door of the criminal justice system is a systemic problem which requires systemic, evidence-based solutions.
• The operation of the criminal justice system causes harm to the people caught in it, over and above their sentences.
• Our work is stronger when we work together, sharing skills, knowledge and experiences.
• Greater awareness of the systemic challenges of transition can alleviate harm and improve outcomes for people in contact with the justice system.

More information

To learn more about the Justice Transition Alliance, please contact Melanie Field-Pimm at [email protected].

To learn more about the national After Prison Network, for which the Justice Transition Alliance represents Victoria, subscribe to the After Prison Network newsletter. For non-Victorian state-based chapters of the After Prison Network, browse local conveners.