Introduction

Susie is a 34 year old woman who is currently incarcerated at Mulawa gaol on charges of assault. Her parole is being revoked as there is nowhere in NSW that can accommodate women with intellectual disability and behavioural problems. I have heard that there is a facility for men with similar conditions.

It is part of her parole conditions that she not be released until suitable accommodation is found.

Sue has been institutionalised since she was 10. She lived independently for a while as an adult, but since the trauma of having a child, and her being removed from her care, and subsequently having shock treatment she is no longer able to live by herself.

The situation for women in her situation is not understood by most people and brushed under the carpet by most officials or put in the too hard basket and never addressed. Sue is not the only woman we know of in this situation and we are continually hearing from workers in the field that the cost of providing an appropriate facility is not justified.

We will continue to add stories from Sues past, details of how the system is continuing to neglect her and others, and we invite people who have an interest in this field to contribute information to start bringing this issue into the light.

All people need to be taken care of in this society, even the problem people.