Supporting Women Post-Release: A Research Project Calling for Participants

Meet Mya Williams — a Master’s student in Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, currently undertaking important research into the post-release experiences of women in Aotearoa who have used alcohol or other drugs and have spent time in prison.

Supervised by Dr Ti Lamusse and Dr Fiona Hutton, Mya’s research seeks to shine a light on the structural and social barriers these women face after release — from housing insecurity and stigma to the challenge of accessing meaningful, healing-centred support.

“I’ve long admired the work of organisations like Home Ground that prioritise creativity, wellbeing, and connection,” says Mya. “The kinds of community spaces they foster are exactly the ones I hope to learn from and reflect in this research.”

Mya is currently looking to connect with women who may be interested in sharing their experiences as part of this study. The research has full ethics approval from the Victoria University of Wellington Human Ethics Committee (reference #040294), and all participation is voluntary and confidential.

This research is a valuable opportunity to elevate lived experiences and inform more supportive, compassionate post-release pathways.

If you or someone you know might be interested in taking part, Mya would love to hear from you. A small token of thanks will be offered for your help and time.

For more details or to kōrero further, please reach out to

Mya Williams (she/her) – mya.williams@vuw.ac.nz