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Invitation to Offer: Women on Remand

Current status: Applications open 14 April 2026 and close 8 May 2026

We are strengthening trauma informed, systematic responses to encourage effective health-led support options for people in contact with the criminal justice system.

About this ITO

The Commission is inviting eligible suppliers to submit an offer for the provision of a 12-month research project examining:

  • The systemic factors influencing the use of remand for women who use alcohol and other drugs (AOD).
  • Opportunities for reform across justice, health, housing and social service systems.

We invite Queensland-based research providers, including university and non-university organisations, to deliver this research project, which must be completed by 30 June 2027.

Scope of work

Suppliers are invited to propose a fit-for-purpose research design that can deliver robust and policy-relevant insights.

Core activities include:

  • Mixed-methods research across three Queensland correctional centres that hold women:
    • Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre
    • Southern Queensland Correctional Centre
    • Townsville Correctional Centre
  • Quantitative data analysis of administrative datasets (e.g. remand rates, AOD indicators, offence types).
  • Qualitative interviews with women on remand, correctional staff and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Stakeholder engagement across government agencies, peak organisations, and community-based health and housing providers.
  • Embedding of lived-living experience across all stages of the research.

Suppliers must also demonstrate the ability to secure all required ethics and research approvals prior to research commencement.

Why is this important?

  • Queensland’s incarceration rates are at their highest in decades, driven by increased use of bail restrictions and remand.
  • People held on remand or serving short sentences often have limited access to prison programs and supports and may be released without adequate assistance.
  • Women experience unique and complex pathways into the criminal justice system, often linked to trauma, domestic and family violence, sexual violence and systemic social and economic disadvantage.
  • Substance use may emerge as a coping mechanism in response to trauma and traumatic events, yet this response often contributes to justice system involvement, particularly through low-level drug offences and breaches of bail conditions.
  • Although the links between trauma, substance use, and women’s involvement in the criminal justice system are well established, there is limited evidence examining the specific impacts of remand on women and the system‑level reforms most likely to improve outcomes.

This project will help build evidence to support culturally appropriate, gender-responsive reform.

How to apply?

How does it support reform?

This funding opportunity supports the delivery of Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategic Plan 2022–2027, and the Queensland Trauma Strategy 2024-2029, which identifies the need for systematic, trauma informed, culturally and gender specific responses to support people involved with the criminal justice system.

Important dates:

  • ITO open for submissions: Tuesday 14 April 2026
  • Closing date and time for offers: 5pm, Friday 8 May 2026