Deborah Kilroy is the founder and Director of Sisters Inside, a thriving community organisation providing services to women in and from prison throughout Queensland. After emerging from prison herself in 1992, Ms Kilroy established Sisters Inside for women who were marginalised, stigmatised or imprisoned. The management team is made up mainly of women who are in or have been in prison - augmented by a few former politicians, lawyers, academics and other professionals. About 25% of the staff and steering committee are Indigenous women.
Its programs include a personal support and women's transition program, kids of mums in gaol project and youth crime prevention program. The organisation also produces journals and newsletters and takes part in national and international advocacy.
The judges praised Ms Kilroy for her strong leadership and advocacy on behalf of women and girls in prison. Under Ms Kilroy's leadership, Sisters Inside is addressing the rising number of Indigenous women in prison and the criminalisation and imprisonment of women with mental illness and physical disabilities.
Human rights medal
Winner