What Prison Network does

Hope Network (formerly Prison Network) is an Australian nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in Canterbury, Victoria, that supports women in and beyond prison across three integrated program areas: in-prison programs (Craft and Cooking, Fitness, Game On Day, Faith and Life Discussion Group, and 1:1 Support) delivered inside Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Tarrengower Prison; post-release programs (More Than a Home transitional housing, Katch a Break employment placement, support groups, mentoring, and social outings); and family support programs (Keeping Kids Connected, school holiday camps, Fun With Mum visits, and carer support). The organization's operating methodology is anchored in a proprietary Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Framework with a bespoke TIC Handbook, complemented by governance input from the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) instituted in 2021.

The business model is a multi-source nonprofit funding stack: tax-deductible individual donations and recurring gifts through the Raisely fundraising platform, trust and foundation grants from a diversified list (StreetSmart, Joe White Bequest, Nedivut Trust, Empower Australia, Department of Justice Victoria, and others), Australian Government CTAP funding for transitional housing, and merchandise sales (Hope On The Wall Calendar at A$20-25). A social enterprise, New Leash Dog Salon on Maling Road in Canterbury, was launched in 2025 to create paid employment for women post-release. Programs are delivered free of charge at the point of service, with no transactional pricing for beneficiaries.

The organization operates regionally within Victoria, Australia, with a small staff of approximately 20 employees, a board-led governance structure under CEO Amelia Pickering, and a seven-member Board. Service throughput is intentionally limited—the More Than a Home program supports only five women per year, with a reported 95% of participants not returning to prison—and growth is expressed through program expansion (three new CTAP-funded homes), partnership breadth, and brand evolution, including the July 2026 rebrand of community-facing services to Hope Network while in-prison programs retained the Prison Network name.

Name

Prison Network

Legal name

Prison Network

Website

https://prisonnetwork.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hope Network (formerly Prison Network) is a Victoria-based nonprofit, founded in 1947, that delivers trauma-informed in-prison programs, post-release transitional housing and employment pathways, and family support services to women in and beyond the Victorian corrections system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prison Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Correctional Health, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (In-Custody) (BPAKANAG), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

Keywords

• Prison rehabilitation services
• Post-release support
• Transitional housing
• Trauma-informed care
• Women incarceration support

Headquarters

HQ city

Canterbury

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, community groups, and churches. Recurring and one-time gifts through online fundraising platforms (Raisely). Mid-year and annual appeals.
2. Trust and Foundation Grants: Funding from trusts and foundations including StreetSmart, Joe White Bequest, Nedivut Trust, Empower Australia, ABL, The Treasury, Gourlay Charitable Trust, Igniting Change, Argo Foundation, Gospel Resource, Collier, 5point, Brian M Davis Foundation, Department of Justice, Barr Family Foundation, and Payton.
3. Government Grants: Australian Government Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program (CTAP) funding for transitional housing for women leaving prison.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sales of calendars and merchandise. Hope On The Wall Calendar priced at $20 (sale) / $25 (original).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Prison Network (now Hope Network) is a Victorian nonprofit that supports women in and beyond prison through in-prison programs, post-release transitional housing and employment placement, and family support services for children of incarcerated mothers. Programs are delivered at no charge to women and are funded by donations, grants, and merchandise sales, with the work guided by a proprietary Trauma-Informed Care framework and the Lived Experience Advisory Panel.

Product overview

Hope Network (formerly Prison Network) offers a multi-faceted suite of programs organized into three core service areas: Post Release Programs (More Than a Home housing, Katch a Break employment, support groups, mentoring), Family Support (school holiday camps, Fun With Mum visits, carer support), and In-Prison Programs (Craft and Cooking, Fitness, Game On Day, 1:1 support). The organization also operates the LEAP lived experience advisory panel and a social enterprise (New Leash Dog Salon). In-prison programs continue under the Prison Network name while community-facing services use Hope Network branding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hope On The Wall Calendar: Annual calendar sold to support Hope Network programs
• New Leash Dog Salon
• More Than a Home
• Keeping Kids Connected
• Fun With Mum
• Katch a Break

Products and services

• In-Prison Programs Programs delivered inside Victorian prisons including Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Tarrengower Prison, encompassing Craft and Cooking, Fitness classes, Game On Day, Faith and Life Discussion Group, and 1:1 Support, building hope and preconditions for change for women during incarceration.
• More Than a Home (Transitional Housing) Transitional housing program managing five fully furnished units for women leaving prison and their dependents, with wraparound support covering employment, legal issues, and community reintegration. Reported 95% of women who participated have gone on to live positive lives and not returned to prison.
• Katch a Break (Employment Initiative) Employment initiative placing women released from prison in suitable employment within partnering corporations such as Kookai and Goddess Cleaning, with wraparound support and training for participating companies.
• Family Support (Keeping Kids Connected) Programs supporting children and families impacted by maternal incarceration, including one-on-one support, school holiday camps, Fun With Mum sessions, transportation to prison visits, and assistance for carers and guardians navigating education and prison systems.
• New Leash Dog Salon (Social Enterprise) Social enterprise creating real paid jobs in the pet grooming industry, located on Maling Road in Canterbury, Victoria, providing employment opportunities for women engaged with Hope Network.
• Hope On The Wall Calendar Annual calendar sold to support Hope Network programs, with the 2027 edition listed at $20 sale price and $25 original price; gift options available to send calendars to women in prison.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of women who participated in transitional housing have gone on to live positive lives and not returned to prison
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Justice VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing funding and collaboration for programs supporting women in the justice system.
• KookaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in the Katch a Break employment program, providing job opportunities for women released from prison with wraparound support.
• Goddess CleaningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in the Katch a Break employment program, providing employment opportunities for women released from prison.
• Beyond the Stone Walls Advisory Collective (BSWAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner co-hosting events like Human Library during Law Week. Women from Hope Network serve as associate directors with BSWAC.
• The TorchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization that allows Aboriginal artists to sell their art while in custody. Supports women in prison with cultural reconnection through art.
• RMIT UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Inside Out Program and associated think tank, led by Dr Marietta Martinovic, providing educational opportunities for women in prison.
• Justice Reform InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice reform organization hosting the annual Reintegration Puzzle Conference. Hope Network staff attend and participate in these events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Melbourne City Mission: Melbourne City Mission is a large Victorian community services organization with homelessness, justice, and youth programs. Overlaps with Hope Network on transitional housing and post-release support but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Jesuit Social Services: Jesuit Social Services is a large Victorian social services organization running multiple justice programs including the ReConnect post-release service and in-prison work. Larger, broader portfolio than Hope Network but overlapping target population and Victorian geography.
• The Salvation Army Australia: The Salvation Army operates extensive correctional services across Australia, including prison visitation and post-release support such as the Bridge Program and employment pathways. Broader, more diversified incumbent operating across all states where Hope Network operates only in Victoria.

Direct peers

• Elizabeth Fry Society of the ACT: Elizabeth Fry Society of the ACT supports women involved in the criminal justice system through advocacy, court support, and post-release housing. Highly comparable women-in-prison support model, though ACT-based rather than Victorian.
• New Way Enterprise: New Way Enterprise is a Victorian social enterprise employing people with complex barriers, including those exiting the justice system. Comparable post-release employment and reintegration focus, operating in Melbourne like Hope Network.
• Sisters Inside: Sisters Inside is an Aboriginal-led, Queensland-based nonprofit advocating for and supporting women and girls in the criminal justice system, including prison visits and post-release support. Closely comparable women-in-prison focus and reentry advocacy, with a broader Indigenous-rights overlay.
• Flat Out: Flat Out is an Australian advocacy and support service for women and gender-diverse people exiting prison, including post-release housing and advocacy. Directly comparable mission, target population, and Victorian operational footprint to Hope Network's post-release work.

Others

• RMIT Inside Out Program: The RMIT Inside Out program, led by Dr Marietta Martinovic, delivers higher education inside prisons and a related think tank. Currently an academic partner of Hope Network; complementary in-prison educational delivery rather than a direct competitor.
• Justice Reform Initiative: Justice Reform Initiative is an Australian advocacy organization promoting alternatives to incarceration and reintegration policy. Partner of Hope Network on the annual Reintegration Puzzle Conference; adjacent policy/advocacy ecosystem rather than direct service competitor.
• The Torch: The Torch is an Australian not-for-profit enabling Indigenous artists in custody to sell their art, building cultural connection and income. Currently a partner to Hope Network for in-prison cultural programs; overlapping in-prison arts/cultural space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prison-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Prison Network