ARTIST / PRODUCER
Behind the Sentence
Children of incarcerated parents are often unseen and unheard, frequently described as the "hidden victims" of the justice system.
Behind the Sentence was a poignant large-scale artwork by artist and Urban Campfire curator Dr. Paula Mahoney. Presented at Collingwood Yards as part of Law Week Victoria, this installation gives voice to young people with incarcerated parents, sharing their reflections and experiences in an evocative visual display.
Inspired by the Monash University report "Living with a parent in prison: Learning from young people", this work aims to amplify their voices, challenge preconceptions and invite discussion around the role of communities advocating for stronger support systems for these young people.
Law Week Program
Behind the Sentence 16th - 26th May 2025
There was also a panel discussion before the launch.
Young Voices on Family and Incarceration. A free ticketed event.
We joined for an insightful conversation on restorative justice and the role of communities in advocating for stronger support systems for young people with incarcerated parents. This panel brought together experts from education, social work, law, and youth advocacy to explore how different sectors can collaborate to address the unique challenges faced by these young people and their families. Together, they examined justice as a collective effort—one that promotes advocacy, heals harm, and fosters stronger, more connected communities.
Panel Discussion:
Heard from professionals working to support young people affected by crime, including those with incarcerated parents. This Victoria Law Week event explored the connections between family, incarceration and community response, highlighting the need for stronger support systems. Whether you worked in education, justice, or social services, or were interested in a legal system that better serves young people, this conversation provided valuable insights into reimagining justice as a collective responsibility. With support from the Victorian Law Foundation and the Neighbourhood Justice Centre, the discussion aimed to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and drive meaningful change.
Panellists:
Associate Professor Catherine Flynn – Associate Professor Catherine Flynn is the Head of the Department of Social Work in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University. She is acknowledged particularly for her expertise and research at the intersection of social work and criminal justice; she has a specific interest in the experiences of children and families of those in prison. Her current research focuses on learning from children impacted by parental imprisonment and disrupting pathways to criminalisation for young women who run away/go missing in adolescence. She is co-director of the Criminal Justice Research Consortium (CJRC) at Monash and teaches research in post-graduate courses.
Stevie Wright – A proud Wirangu woman and is the Secretariat Lead for Our Boorais, Our Way at SNAICC (SNAICC is the National Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children). Working specifically on an initiative in the ACT aiming to reform the child protection system through implementing 28 recommendations by some community leaders. Stevie is also conducting a PhD researching child protection reform initiatives and teach social work at the Queensland University of Techology.
Ralph Gotlib – Principal, Bindjiroo Yaluk Community School - a small government secondary school operating within a framework of positive behaviour support, restorative practice and respectful relationships.
Moana Wati – Moana Wati is the National Practice Manager for SHINE for Kids, passionate about supporting families and advocating for the rights of children and young people with a parent in custody.
With 20 years’ experience in Counselling and Psychological support, Moana specialises in Family Violence, having facilitated Men Living Without Violence and Positive Parenting programs. She has worked extensively with families affected by the legal system, both in the community and in correctional centres.
Moana has developed curriculum, trained teams, and led Early Intervention programs in community and school settings, promoting self-esteem, confidence, and emotional understanding. A strong Māori woman, she has held board positions across New Zealand community, tertiary education, and budgeting service organisations.
Vincent Shin – Australian lawyer and social justice advocate who has made significant contributions to youth law and education. He is currently the Program Manager of the Youth Law Program at WEstjustice Community Legal Centre.
Acknowledgments
Behind the Sentence was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of:
SHINE for Kids, Monash University, Australian Cultural Fund, Igniting Change,
Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Aticus, and private donors.
We sincerely thank the young people who courageously shared their stories and experiences.
Your voices are central to this work, and we are deeply grateful for your trust, honesty, and insight.
We also gratefully acknowledge Collingwood Yards and the Centre for Projection Art for generously providing
the space and support to bring this work to life.
