The Partners of Prisoners program has
been in operation since 1993. It is commonly known as the POP program.
POP’s core business is to facilitate
access to and delivery of relevant support services and programs which promote
the health, well being and family life of partners of prisoners who are at risk
of Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS or are people living with Hepatitis C or HIV.
POP
has two paid staff members (one full time and one half time), and a team of
dedicated volunteers. The POP program is situated at OARS SA head office in the
city and has an outreach service operating at the Family Centre at Yatala Labor
Prison on Saturday mornings. In the last financial year the total client
contacts were 1,132.
The issues
that partners of prisoners present with vary from financial problems when their
partner has been incarcerated as their income is often halved, parenting issues,
health issues and unfortunately many partners present with housing problems. POP
advocates on behalf of partners to service providers and we have built up an
extensive network who can support our client group.
Harm reduction
sessions are conducted once a month at the Adelaide Pre Release Centre to
inmates that have recently arrived at that institution. These sessions provide
inmates who are due for release with up to date information relating to
Hepatitis C and HIV transmission and appropriate referrals to services who can
assist them upon release.
