VAUGHAN WINTHER

BIOGRAPHY:
Vaughan’s career as a social worker, manager and executive leader spans 25 years working in justice, health and social services in government, and the not-for-profit sectors. Through his work with DHHS Youth Justice, Jesuit Social Services and now ACSO, Vaughan is a leading voice in the design and development of programs that successfully divert young people and adults from the criminal justice system.

At ACSO, Vaughan has led the organisation’s decentralised expansion across Victoria, growth in New South Wales and Queensland, and the development of social impact investment projects. As CEO, Vaughan’s focus is to work closely with government and the community to create sustainable policy and program solutions to reduce the rates of recidivism.

JON FAINE AM

BIOGRAPHY:
Jon Faine left the ABC after 30 years as a radio and TV presenter. For 23 years he was the articulate and challenging host of a daily Melbourne current affairs radio program but he began his professional life as a lawyer, in commercial litigation for four years in a major city firm before joining Fitzroy Legal Service for three years in the 1980s.

Jon has also been a scriptwriter for a number of TV shows and feature films, hosted TV shows and contributed to national and local print publications. He has been a regular columnist for legal profession magazines, hosted national and international conferences and delivered keynote speeches for universities, the state library and various professional conferences.

After 30 years as a failed shock jock Jon Faine is now washing dishes, walking dogs and fiddling with old cars in his shed. Unlike other radio tyrants, Jon maintains an active interest in democracy as a solution to humanity’s challenges.

JOHN PARVENSKY, PRESIDENT & CEO, COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

BIOGRAPHY:
John Parvensky has served as President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (USA) since 1985. Under his leadership, the Coalition has grown to serve over 18,000 people experiencing homelessness per year through comprehensive housing and healthcare. John has led the development of more than 2,000 supportive housing units for chronically homeless individuals as well as creating the state-of-the-art Stout Street Health Center which provides integrated health care for those experiencing homelessness.

John was instrumental in creating Denver Social Impact Bond (SIB), which provided supportive housing and assertive community treatment services to more than 375 individuals who were the highest utilizers of the Denver Jail. The five year SIB was evaluated by the Urban Institute, which demonstrated maintaining 77% housing stability and a significant reduction of jail utilization, resulting in significant savings to the City and reduced health care and emergency service costs.

John has received local and national recognition for his work, including the Affordable Housing Finance Hall of Fame induction in 2021, the Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award from the National Healthcare for the Homeless in 2018, and the ACLU of Colorado’s Carle Whitehead Memorial Award for 30 years of dedication to furthering civil liberties and social justice for Colorado’s homeless population in 2016.

John has served as president of the board of directors of the National Coalition for the Homeless as well as the National Health Care for the homeless Council.

MARK PATTERSON, CHAIR, HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION & BOARD PRESIDENT, NATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORPORATION

BIOGRAPHY:
In 2006 Mark Patterson was sent to the Women’s Community Correctional Center (300 bed medium security) as the Chief of Security. In 2008 Mark was promoted to the Warden. His career took off at this point when he began to question the manner by which the women were being treated. Assessing and evaluating the profile of the average women offender he determined that the programs were not aligned with the needs of the female. Collaborating with National, State and community partners they began a trauma informed care initiative that transformed how they moved women through the correctional process.

In 2014 Mark Patterson was hired as the Administrator of the Hawaii Youth Correctional facility, that year the state legislature passed into law the Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative, Mark Patterson was tasked with reimagining the correctional campus and the security structures that were being vacated as a result of a decline in incarcerated youth. In 2018 the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center was established to change the negative stigma of Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. The former correctional campus became a collaboration of Government agencies (Human Services, Health, Education, Judicial) and community non-profits to provide an array of services to Hawaii’s most vulnerable youth, young adults, and their families. In 2018 they embarked on an intensive focus on reducing the juvenile female footprint within the correctional system, partnering with the national Vera Institute of Justice’s national initiative to ends girls’ incarceration. Assessing and evaluating gaps in the system we were able to collaborate a system of early intervention of the most vulnerable girls that led to a zero of girls incarcerated in Hawaii.

For his work with the Hawaii juvenile justice system Mark Patterson was nominated by the congressional committee on Indian affairs and confirmed by the Department of Justice to be a member of National Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

FIONA PATTEN MP, MEMBER FOR NORTHERN METROPOLITAN REGION, VICTORIA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL & LEADER OF THE REASON PARTY

BIOGRAPHY:
Fiona Patten is a Member for Northern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council and Leader of the Reason Party.

She has worked tirelessly to deliver legislative reforms that many thought impossible including drug law reform, Voluntary Assisted Dying, and the decriminalisation of sex work.

Fiona is now working towards improving Victoria further by pushing to legalise and regulate cannabis for adult use, continuing to implement electoral reform, a greater separation between church and state, and further reform of the justice system.

DR MINDY SOTIRI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUSTICE REFORM INITIATIVE

BIOGRAPHY:
Dr Mindy Sotiri (BSW, PhD) has worked in criminal justice system settings as an advocate, community sector practitioner, activist, academic, researcher, and policy and service delivery reform specialist for more than twenty years.

During this time, much of her work has been focused on advocacy around decarceration and building sustainable community-based and community led pathways outside of prison settings.

Her PhD (2003) explored the purpose of imprisonment. She was also a 2016 Churchill Fellow (with a project exploring international community led post-release services).

SARA-MICHELLE STILIANOS, ADVOACY AND CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR JUSTICE REFORM INITIATIVE

BIOGRAPHY:
Sara Stilianos is the Victorian campaign and advocacy coordinator for the Justice Reform Initiative. She currently works, studies, volunteers and advocates for marginalised and criminalised people, and understands first-hand the drivers of incarceration, the harms of the justice system and the way imprisonment further exacerbates trauma.

Sara shares her personal lived experiences and deep expert knowledge of the justice system to bring about change.

She advocates for non-carceral responses to disadvantage and is focused on building communities where disadvantage is not met with a punitive, criminal justice system response.

LARISSA STRONG, COMMISSIONER, CORRECTIONS VICTORIA

BIOGRAPHY:
Larissa was appointed as the Commissioner of Corrections Victoria (CV) in 2021. Larissa brings to the role a record of achievement in leading large scale, service delivery and operational environments. Larissa’s focus has been on leading organisational reform in complex service systems through establishing a shared sense of purpose, investing in people and robust processes and assurance.

Larissa has worked primarily in the justice system for the past 21 years, including roles in policy and program development to help reduce offending, reform of post-sentence supervision of serious violent and sex offenders and developing strategies and programs for the health care of people in custody. This has included as the Deputy Commissioner of Offender Management, as Executive Director of Justice Health and Project Director of the Ten-Year Mental Health Plan in the Department of Health and Human Services.

MARCUS STEWART, CO-CHAIR. FIRST PEOPLES' ASSEMBLY OF VICTORIA

BIOGRAPHY:
Marcus Stewart is a Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation and elected Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

He was elected to the Assembly by the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) to take that body’s reserved seat.

Having grown up in the Aboriginal community, Marcus decided to pursue a career working in and for the Aboriginal community for over 20 years. Through his experience he has long held the view that systems and structures need to change to better support and empower Aboriginal people.

Marcus’ career began in the child protection system where he worked in out of home care and then as a child and family therapist. Here he saw firsthand how important it is to keep Aboriginal children and families together and how the child protection system is set up to disempower, disconnect and disadvantage Aboriginal Communities.

Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Marcus was the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations – An advocacy peak body for Traditional Owners in Victoria. Through his leadership, he secured key initiatives on Aboriginal Water, Cultural Fire and Treaty readiness investment from the Victorian Government for all Victorian Traditional Owners.

He is widely regarded as a seasoned and skilled negotiator and strategist, having helped implement numerous strategies and policies through senior roles in State Government and the TWaLC. In pursuing a greater knowledge of business and management, Marcus successfully graduated from the Melbourne Business School’s MURRA Indigenous Business Program in 2017.

Marcus was a cultural advisor with the Victorian Department of Justice, where he gained a deeper understanding of the justice system and how it significantly impacts Aboriginal people. This experience gave him a deep understanding of, and passion for, system and structural reform.

In addition to having studied Developmental Psychiatry at Melbourne University (2004-2006), Marcus undertook post graduate studies in Family Therapy at La Trobe University.

Renowned for his leadership skills, Marcus is proud to continue the journey towards Treaty in Victoria.

NERITA WAIGHT, CEO VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE, ACSO BOARD MEMBER

BIOGRAPHY:
Nerita is a proud Yorta Yorta woman.

Nerita completed her Bachelor of Arts and Laws at Melbourne University in 2011 whilst undertaking a cadetship through the Australian Taxation Office. In 2012, Nerita commenced a traineeship with the Victorian Government Solicitors Officer where she was able to undertake her practical legal training whilst undertaking exciting work in various branches.

In 2014, Nerita commenced working at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service which she commenced as a civil lawyer then moved to the family and youth team. In late 2016, Nerita moved into a dual role, undertaking both legal casework and policy work and was able to establish Balit Ngulu, a specialist legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Nerita is currently in the process of completing her Masters of Law at the University of Melbourne and hope these studies will continue to foster her passion for social justice and equity and help her discover innovative ways to solve the justice issues plaguing her community.

KARINA WINCH, LIVED EXPERIENCE EXPERT

BIOGRAPHY:
Karina is a Wiradjuri, Gundungurra and Ngunuwal woman living on Dharawal country and has a deep connection to her Aboriginal culture.

When she was a child, Karina’s peers and family members were involved heavily in the justice system. She has witnessed firsthand the impacts of intergenerational incarceration and entering high school, Karina found herself navigating a support role for friends who had obtained criminal records. These experiences motivated her to study a double degree in psychological science and social science majoring in criminology at the University of Wollongong.

Karina joined the ACSO’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) in 2021 as the first member based in NSW. Since then, she has been involved with the implementation of a youth mentoring program, commenced the co-designing of other lived experience advisory panels and is a key consultant on ACSO position papers related to her lived experience.

Karina is passionate about hearing people’s stories and enjoys spending time with her family.

CLAYTON FOSTER, LIVED EXPERIENCE EXPERT

BIOGRAPHY:
Clayton first encountered the justice system at age 13 and has spent a combined total of 15 years in custody. During his incarceration, he was inspired to study sociology and post his release in 2020; he has become a changemaker and advocate for others.

As a member of ACSO’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), Clayton has contributed to the parliamentary inquiry into the culture of custodial settings, performed with KIN in their Out Alive Lodden Mallee region performance.

Clayton is a key member of ACSO’s residential services interview panel and has been supporting the development of a peer workforce within post-release services and has been interviewed by Melbourne University, The Age and The Australian Financial Review.

Clayton lives on Dja Dja Wurrung country with his partner, Ruth and spends his spare time prospecting and enjoying life.

JESSICA CAMILLERI, LIVED EXPERIENCE EXPERT

BIOGRAPHY:
Jessica Is the Youth Case Worker / Coordinator for the "My Way Youth" Mentoring Program for the Women's Justice Network. The "My Way" Mentoring Program is for girls/women aged 14 to 25 who are at risk or entangled in the criminal justice system.

Jessica is also a Member of the WJN Advisory Panel. As a Panel member Jessica uses her lived experience to advocate, raise awareness and challenge the cultural, social, economic and political inequalities that exist for criminalised girls and women.

Jessica herself comes from lived experience, after growing up in a very stable home and an upbringing with all opportunities available to her, some wrong decisions had then soon seen her on the other side of the fence and incarcerated.

After being incarcerated she has been motivated, determined and has a strong voice in empowering and advocating for more opportunity and positive change within the criminal justice system so that youth and women can address the underlying issues which have entangled them.

Jessica plays a vital role after going through the adult mentoring program herself and successfully finishing it, demonstrating that mentoring programs play a vital role in reintegrating back into community and addressing the barriers faced using a holistic trauma informed approach moving forward.

Jessica has been interviewed and featured in the Sunday Life Magazine, has written a piece in which is featured in the "Slottie" book created by WJN Advisory Panel which is distributed to every female within the NSW Criminal Justice System. She has been a panel guest for UTS LSS Maddocks Social Justice Conference and has been interviewed and featured in the "Insider" news for all inmates within the country and has spoken as a guest earlier this year at Zonta forum, from a lived experience perspective "When Justice is served".

Jessica is determined to be a voice for the people that feel like they can't and support them in reaching their goals and aspirations no matter how big or small - so they can be the best version of themselves and live a fulfilled life.

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR JAMES OGLOFF AM, UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AND DEAN, SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

BIOGRAPHY:
James Ogloff is trained as a lawyer and psychologist. He is the University Distinguished Professor of Forensic Behavioural Science and Dean, School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology. From 2001 – 2022 he held the role of Executive Director of Psychological Services and Research at Forensicare. Professor Ogloff was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for significant service to education and to the law as a forensic psychologist, as an academic, researcher and practitioner. Professor Ogloff has specific expertise in forensic psychology, correctional and forensic mental health, youth justice, mental health law, and the assessment and management of offenders. He commenced clinical work in 1982. In his clinical work, he assesses and assists with the management of some of the most difficult offenders in Australia and abroad. In 2019-2020, he co-led a review of Victoria’s youth justice system with Penny Armytage AM. The review culminated in the comprehensive report, “Youth Justice Review and Strategy: Meeting needs and reducing offending.”

Professor Ogloff previously served as British Columbia’s first Director of Mental Health Services for Corrections. He is the Past-President of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law and a former Chair of the College of Forensic Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society. He is a Past-President of the Canadian Psychological Association and a Past-President of the American Psychology-Law Society. Professor Ogloff has published 18 books and more than 350 scholarly articles and book chapters. He has served as editor and associate editor of leading scholarly journals in his field. He is the recipient of the distinguished contributions awards in law and psychology/forensic psychology from the Australian Psychological Society, the Canadian Psychological Association, and the American Psychology-Law Society.