[1][9] In consultation with other community groups, as well as partner peak body organisations such as the New South Wales Council of Social Services (NCOSS),[10] WIPAN undertakes a broad range of research and advocacy activities including the production of resources guides, policy and research papers on issues such as the housing and support needs of women leaving prison[11] and prisoner health.
[16] In 2011, with funding from the Myer Foundation[6] and working with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC),[17] WIPAN produced a self-help guide for women prisoners in NSW.
[6][18] The guide was designed to be distributed to female prisoners before release, and assist them to meet their own financial, housing, health, and legal needs, once in the community.
[23] WIPAN operates a volunteer-based mentoring program for women exiting the NSW criminal justice system which aims to reduce rates of recidivism amongst female inmates by providing women leaving prison with a meaningful support network, and to assist ex-prisoners to build connections with the broader community.
[24] The role of the mentor in the program is to assist the mentee to access necessary services, and to build a relationship of mutual trust and respect through regular face-to-face meetings, and the provision of social and emotional support.