Welcome to Flat Out

Released to Freedom

"Released to freedom"
My file will say when I leave here
I will carry a black garbage bag
Containing all that remains of my old life

Everything that I own to begin my new life
Nothing will fit me anymore
Not my old clothes
Nor my old life
Where will I start?

I will have a name and a number in my hand
It will be my salvation
I will pick up the phone and call
Flat Out

Vickie Roach

Welcome to Flat Out

Flat Out is a state wide support service for women exiting prison, or who have had contact with the criminal justice system. Flat Out is a women specific service and has an Equal Opportunity Exemption to employ only women. Flat Out does not work with men in any capacity, but will provide support to women experiencing domestic violence. Flat Out will also provide support to the children of women exiting prison.

Flat Out is managed by a Collective of women. The Collective is a flat structure, meaning that everyone involved has equal rights, equal voice and equal decision making powers. It is an anti-hierarchical structure that is in keeping with Flat Out’s feminist principles of equality. The Collective structure allows for all decision making to be fair and consensual and all discussion to be transparent and open. All paid staff at Flat Out are also Collective members.

Flat Out works with women in a non-judgmental, compassionate and caring manner.

What to expect from your Flat Out worker:

Compassionate, caring, realistic and honest support

Advocacy with other services

Support to maintain housing, and to explore housing options

Referrals to other services

Advice and information

Support with children

Support in court and around legal issues and legal requirements (eg parole, CBOs etc)

Support and assistance if you are re-incarcerated

Flat Out workers will always respect your right to privacy, and will not breach the confidentiality of your support relationship except in very serious circumstances. Flat Out workers will always work to protect your rights and will advocate on your behalf.

Flat Out participates in research and community education, seeking to inform the community and other service providers about the issues that occur for women in prison. Flat Out advocates for all women who have experienced incarceration, and works towards improving the rights and conditions of women in prison. Flat Out works towards preventing women from going to prison, and keeping them out of prison once they are released.

Through community involvement and education, advocacy and research, Flat Out works towards having a strong voice in the prison abolition movement in Australia, in the hope that eventually prisons will not be seen as a legitimate arm of the justice system, but will be viewed as an antiquated, cruel and ultimately ineffective institution.