A youth development officer at Victoria’s maximum security prison for men has been named one of Hobsons Bay’s most inspiring women.
Anne Hooker, who has worked at Port Phillip Prison for 15 years, was among 21 recipients recognised in Hobsons Bay’s Inspirational Women Awards last week.
Ms Hooker, who believes positive reinforcement works better than punishment, was honoured for her programs which challenge the way young offenders are treated, pursuing the ultimate aim of having no more victims.
She works in the Penhyn youth unit, whose award-winning programs include Serving Time, with participants making T-shirts bearing the Doin’ Time logo to raise money for charity. In seven and a half years, the enterprise has raised $150,000 for charity and earned the admiration of Sir Richard Branson, who wants to replicate the program in the UK.
Ms Hooker said a new program involved six inmates featured on a DVD titled Stories from the inside. It is designed to deter young people from committing crimes, while raising money for charity.
“Six young men have told their story in relation to what happened, what led to their offences, the effect it has had on their victims, their families, themselves and their community, and it’s basically to try and stop kids coming to jail,” Ms Hooker said.
“Schools can … stream the video into their classrooms for nothing or if people wish to buy a copy they can go to dointime.org.”
Presenting the awards, Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson launched the council’s gender equity policy statement, which is out for community comment until April 8.
Cr Wilson said the council would develop a young women’s industry mentorship program to support women in taking up leadership positions.
Other recipients were Annaliese Bishop, Anna Bovdis, Ida Bright, Arna Culinas-Donohue, Hue Man Dang, Charmian Gaud, Jacqueline Green, Luba Grigorovitch, Lynne Hewet, Anja Pfingstler-Lee, Gorica Micovski, Susan Nolan, Lee Ogden, Jenny Peace, Jennifer Stumpo, Nala Taukilo, Lyn Thomas, Bern Tripodi, Sharon Walsh and Michelle Whittingham.
