Bringing Together the Voices of Contemporary Lived Experience through Prison-Based and Community-Based Think-Tanks

The lived experience of people impacted by the Criminal Justice System has often been neglected and excluded from the policy-making process. To provide a space for their voices to be heard, four prison- based Think-Tanks and one community-based Think-Tank have been established in Victoria, Australia. This paper outlines the operation of these Think-Tanks and describes how these contribute to the consultation and research commissioned by government departments, non-government bodies and advocacy groups. The inclusion of various voices in the design of practical strategies improves and innovates the social justice sector.