What Sisters Inside does

Sisters Inside Inc. is an Aboriginal-led nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by Debbie Kilroy OAM that delivers in-prison and community-based support services to criminalized women, girls, and their families across Queensland, Australia. Operating from offices in Brisbane and Townsville with 51–100 staff, the organization maintains a service presence in all Queensland women's prisons and runs a portfolio of programs including the Sexual Assault Program (established 1994), the Anti-Violence Program, the Supreme Court Bail Support Program (which has reported a 100% success rate among eligible women since 2003), the Health Support Program, the Decarceration Program, and the Parole Support Program. Additional programs target mothers and children (BOWS, CaPS) and young people affected by the justice system (ReConnect, Yangah, Barista Sistas social enterprise, and the First Nations Girls' Art Group).

The organization's core service model is a trauma-informed, culturally safe, rights-based framework underpinned by lived-experience staffing — the team includes formerly incarcerated workers and majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff — and an explicit abolitionist orientation. This model differentiates Sisters Inside from conventional case management by emphasizing voluntary participation, privacy, and systemic advocacy rather than corrections-system compliance. The underlying "platform" is service delivery infrastructure — case workers, prison access, peer networks, training programs — rather than software; the organization has no proprietary technology product, mobile app, or disclosed AI capability, and operates the "Just Conversations" podcast as a content channel rather than a technology stack.

Revenue is generated through four streams: tax-deductible individual donations (anchored by the "Five to Free Her" A$5/week recurring campaign), Queensland Government grants for specific programs (Supreme Court Bail Support, Anti-Violence, Parole Support, Decarceration), merchandise sales through an online store (pins A$20, t-shirts A$40–50, books A$25, puzzles A$20–35), and ticket sales from biennial conferences (A$675 individual / A$425 concession / free for formerly incarcerated women). The go-to-market is direct service delivery into prisons and communities, supplemented by advocacy-driven marketing via social media, earned media, podcasting, and events, with documented research and policy partnerships including the University of Queensland's Healthy Prison Review and leadership of the National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls established in 2020.

Name

Sisters Inside

Legal name

Sisters Inside Inc.

Website

https://sistersinside.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sisters Inside is an Aboriginal-led, abolitionist nonprofit founded in 1992 that delivers in-prison and community-based support services to criminalized women, girls, and families across Queensland, Australia, using a trauma-informed, lived-experience model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services for Criminalized Women and Families

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD), Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Correctional Health, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (In-Custody) (BPAKANAG)

Keywords

• Criminal justice advocacy
• Prison abolition services
• Women support programs
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Reentry support services

Headquarters

HQ city

West End

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting criminalised women and children. Includes the Five to Free Her campaign calling for $5/week contributions.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of t-shirts, accessories, books, and merchandise with abolitionist messaging. Products include pins ($20), jigsaw puzzles ($20-$35), t-shirts ($40-$50), key rings ($25), and Debbie Kilroy's biography ($25).
3. Conference Revenue: Annual conferences with ticket sales. 2023 conference tickets at $675 individual, $425 concession, free for formerly incarcerated women. Includes gala events.
4. Government Grants: Funding from Queensland Government for specific programs including Supreme Court Bail Support, Anti-Violence Program, Parole Support, and Decarceration Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sisters Inside delivers in-prison and community-based social service programs for criminalized women, girls, children, and families across Queensland. Services include sexual assault counselling, anti-violence support, health referrals, parole and bail advocacy, decarceration programs, family reunification, and youth programs. The organization supplements service delivery with advocacy campaigns (Five to Free Her), abolition conferences, and branded merchandise sales.

Product overview

Sisters Inside is an Aboriginal-led advocacy organization offering a portfolio of community service programs for criminalised women, girls, children, and families in Queensland. The organization operates service programs including the Sexual Assault Program, Anti-Violence Program, Health Support Program, Supreme Court Bail Support Program, Decarceration Program, and Parole Support for women; BOWS and CAPS for mothers and children; and ReConnect, Yangah, Barista Sistas, and First Nations Girls' Art Group for young people. These are complemented by a merchandise store and advocacy campaigns like 'Five to Free Her'. Sisters Inside has offices in Brisbane and Townsville and provides services both inside prisons and in the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sexual Assault Program In-prison counselling and support program for women prisoners who have experienced sexual assault, operating across all South East Queensland women's prisons.
• Anti-Violence Program Counselling and support program for women in Gatton and Townsville prisons experiencing domestic and family violence and sexual assault, with workers providing individual crisis counselling and educational groups.
• Health Support Program (HSP) Community-based health support for criminalised women and their children in SEQ and NQ, offering referral to medical, mental health, and drug and alcohol services with practical support including transport.
• Supreme Court Bail Support Program Program supporting women prisoners to apply for Supreme Court Bail, currently funded in Townsville, SEQ, and Gatton with a 100% success rate among eligible women.
• Decarceration Program Program aiming to reduce women's prison numbers in SEQ by supporting women in police watch-houses and court to improve bail application success through housing, legal representation, and community support.
• Parole Support Service helping women in all Queensland women's prisons with parole and sentencing matters to help women navigate corrections systems and leave prison as soon as possible.
• BOWS (Building On Women's Strengths) Program Program helping mothers in Brisbane and Townsville prisons maintain relationships with children and supporting family reunification post-release, with workers arranging contact and providing intensive support.
• Child and Parenting Support (CAPS) Intensive parenting support service for women in SEQ to improve parenting skills and respond to children, including parenting education groups with childcare provided.
• ReConnect Program Program supporting 12-18 year olds impacted by the prison system, focusing on connection with mothers, family, work, education, and community through counselling and activities.
• Yangah Program Program aiming to reduce girls aged 10-17 held on remand in Brisbane Youth Detention Centre by improving bail access through safe accommodation, services, legal support, and post-release outreach.
• Barista Sistas Coffee cart social enterprise trading outside Sisters Inside offices in Brisbane, providing work experience and barista training for young Aboriginal women to build workforce confidence.
• First Nations Girls' Art Group Weekly art group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls who are criminalised or at risk, with proceeds from art auctions funding group activities.
• Youth Violence Prevention Program Program in NQ and Townsville Women's Correctional Centre breaking cycles of violence through prevention activities, education, and support for those affected by criminalisation and family violence, including art, sport/dance, and playgroups.
• Abolitionist Merchandise Store Online store offering advocacy-themed merchandise including t-shirts ($40-$50), pins ($20), key rings ($25), Debbie Kilroy biography ($25), and jigsaw puzzles ($20-$35) featuring abolitionist artwork.
• 2023 Abolition Conference Three-day abolition conference held at Brisbane Convention Centre with guest speakers including Professor Angela Y. Davis, priced at $675 regular, $425 concession, and free for formerly incarcerated women.
• Five to Free Her Campaign Campaign calling for $5 weekly donations to support criminalised women and children, providing emergency accommodation, food relief, domestic violence support, and personal hygiene products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% success rate for Supreme Court Bail eligible women since 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, core and minor.

• University of QueenslandmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UQ for legal student involvement in Supreme Court Bail program. Legal students and graduates jointly deliver bail advocacy services. Foreword for State Controlled Childhood report by Professor Tamara Walsh, School of Law, UQ.
• National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and GirlscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coalition established in 2020 by Debbie Kilroy, representing women who are or have been incarcerated. Sister organisation focused on decarceration and abolition. Joint media releases on prison conditions and policy.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled OrganisationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of community-controlled organisations providing culturally appropriate services. Sisters Inside maintains good relationships with these organisations for referrals and culturally-safe service delivery.
• Justice Reform InitiativeminorOthersWhile Sisters Inside critiqued Justice Reform Initiative's approach, both organisations work toward criminal justice reform and decarceration goals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Women's Prison Association: US-based non-profit providing gender-responsive, trauma-informed support to criminalised and incarcerated women pre- and post-release. Highly comparable in mission, gender-specific service design, and throughcare orientation.
• Flat Out Inc: Australian non-profit supporting women transitioning out of prison and addressing pathways into the criminal justice system. Closely comparable mission (criminalised women), service mix (advocacy, post-release support), and trauma-informed approach, though based in Victoria rather than Queensland.
• Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT): Aboriginal-led legal and prisoner support organisation providing legal representation, court support, and throughcare services to Aboriginal people in contact with the justice system. Directly comparable on Aboriginal-led delivery model and criminalised-women/girls focus areas.
• Justice Reform Initiative: Australian national advocacy organisation working to reduce incarceration and reform the justice system. Comparable on criminal-justice policy reform mission and national advocacy posture, explicitly named as a counterpart organisation in the source data.
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance: National peak body advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls, including those impacted by the justice and child protection systems. Comparable on Aboriginal-led women-centred advocacy framing at national level.
• Women's Legal Service Queensland: Queensland-based community legal centre providing gender-sensitive legal assistance to women, including in relation to criminal justice, family violence, and child protection matters. Comparable on women-centred legal advocacy and Queensland delivery footprint.
• Wungening Aboriginal Corporation: Aboriginal community-controlled organisation in Western Australia providing family support, youth diversion, and prison throughcare. Comparable on Aboriginal-led delivery model and intersection of family services with criminalised populations.

Broad incumbents

• Vera Institute of Justice: US-based criminal-justice research and reform organisation working on incarceration, gender-responsive programmes, and community-based alternatives. Overlaps on criminalised-women services research and bail/diversion work but operates broader portfolio beyond women and girls.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SistersInside
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sisters-inside
• Instagraminstagram.com/sisters_inside_inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Sisters Inside