People on visas are set up to fail by discriminatory treatment in prison, with limited access to parole, rehabilitation, and education hindering their ability to have their visas reinstated. While Australian citizens are granted liberty after serving a sentence, people who are subject to visa cancellation are ‘pipelined’ from prison to immigration detention and deportation from Australia.

These people face a heavy mental burden in prison, exacerbated by the anxiety of potential visa cancellation, limited legal assistance, and uncertainty about prolonged detention – with this pressure often leading to a forced choice to give up and accept deportation.

The report also includes excerpts from six anonymous interviewees who are social workers, teachers and counsellors working directly with people in prison and youth detention who are subject to visa cancellation.

Artwork credit: Sam Wellman