Becoming
Hope Network

Our work reaches far beyond prison walls. Now our name does too.

For 79 years, we’ve journeyed with women in prison. Today, our life-changing work also happens after release, in homes, in families, and in the community. 

The women we support told us something important: while Prison Network reflects part of their story, it can also carry stigma and trauma as they rebuild their lives. 

We want our name to reflect the strength of a woman’s future, not just the reality of her past.

That’s why we have become Hope Network.

LISTENING TO WOMEN AND FAMILIES

In consultation with women, hope was a recurring theme. 

Hope is what women hold onto when everything feels fragile. It is what we offer through long-term, consistent support. 

Network reflects the relationships, inside prison and beyond, that make change possible. 

Importantly, our presence inside prison remains as strong as ever. 

We will continue to use the name Prison Network for our in-prison programs, so women can find us easily and reconnect with a name they know and trust. 

Our name is evolving because our impact has grown. 

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

We have always centred the voices and experiences of the women we work with.

In recent consultations, many women and families told us that the word ‘prison’ in our name can unintentionally evoke past trauma or reinforce stigma.  

Women shared that the name can: 

  • make it harder to feel confident accessing services in the community 

  • create challenges when seeking housing, employment, or support for their children 

  • unintentionally define them by their past rather than their future 

When we speak about restoring dignity, we must also ensure our own identity reflects that commitment. 

What Won’t Change

While our name is evolving, our purpose is not. Our presence inside Victorian prisons remains as strong as ever. The new name strengthens our ability to support women before, during, and after incarceration. Building trusted relationships inside prison is where the journey begins. That will continue. We will continue to use the name ‘Prison Network’ for our in-prison support. This ensures that women who have returned to prison can find us and recognise a familiar name.   

Our values, our programs, and our commitment remain the same.

We remain dedicated to: 

  • Building trusted relationships with women inside Victorian prisons 

  • providing safe, supportive pathways for women returning to the community 

  • reducing recidivism through holistic, trauma-informed, evidence-based programs 

  • supporting families and breaking cycles of intergenerational incarceration 

OUR WORK
OUR IMPACT

David Breen, our Founder Myrtle Breen's son, on becoming Hope Network:

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

Contact us

  • We will started operating under the name Hope Network by July 2026. 

  • Hope is not a soft word in our work, it is hard-won. It is what women hold onto when everything feels fragile. It is what grows through consistent, non-judgemental support over time. 

    Network reflects the relationships, inside prison, in homes, and across communities, that make lasting change possible. 

    This name came directly from women. It reflects their strength, not just their circumstances. 

  • Yes. Absolutely. 

    Our presence inside prison remains as strong as ever. In fact, those relationships are where everything begins.  

    We will continue using the name Prison Network for our in-prison programs, so women can easily find us and reconnect with a name they know and trust. 

  • No. 

     Our purpose, our programs, and our commitment remain exactly the same. We are still here to walk alongside women before, during, and after incarceration, offering consistent, trauma-informed support that helps rebuild lives and strengthen families. 

  • Because we are hearing it more clearly than ever. 

    As our support beyond prison has grown, so has the feedback from women and their families that the name Prison Network can create real barriers, especially when rebuilding life in the community. Whether it is applying for housing, reconnecting with children, or stepping into employment, the name can carry weight that is not theirs to hold anymore. 

    We are also in a period of growth. Making this change now ensures that as we expand, we do so with a name that reflects dignity, possibility, and the full scope of our work. 

  • We held several focus groups with women who are or have been in prison. Other names were set aside based on feedback from women with lived experience. 

    In every focus group, the word ‘hope’ came up time and time again. The name Hope Network came directly out of a session inside DPFC. 

    Further consultation then took place with our Lived Experience Advisory Panel. 

  • No. If anything, it will make access easier. 

    Women told us the word “prison” can create barriers when seeking housing, employment, or community support. By evolving our name, we are removing one small but significant barrier. 

    Inside prison, the name Prison Network remains, so nothing is lost. 

  • No. 

    We are maintaining our existing branding. As our name sits within our logo, the logo will be updated to reflect the new name.