Isabel Hight — Ma’am, At Times Miss Or... (Press, 18 April 1987)

Isabel Hight, a 32-year-old New Zealand woman, holds a unique position as the only female superintendent of a men’s prison in Australia, specifically at the Metropolitan Reception Prison in Long Bay, Sydney. Having grown up in Ashburton and studied at the University of Canterbury, her career in the New South Wales prison system began in 1978, when she moved to Sydney looking for opportunities to utilise her nursing qualifications. She quickly found herself working in the prison service, drawn by her interest in social work and the complexities of the inmates' lives. Hight’s rise through the ranks of the prison service has been remarkable. By 1982, she was appointed to her first executive position at the notorious Bathurst jail, which had recently been renovated after a violent riot. Despite being the only female superintendent, Hight has fostered a professional environment where gender becomes secondary to competence. She notes that while she has not experienced overt discrimination from her male colleagues, she is keenly aware that some women working under her might face challenges. Hight has established a reputation that commands respect, not just from her staff but also from the prisoners, who address her with honourifics like "Ma’am" or "Miss Hight." Her approach reflects a balance between authority and care, and she emphasises the importance of treating inmates as individuals within an often dehumanising system. She rejects the notion that her nursing background is entirely incompatible with prison management, arguing that both healthcare and incarceration require compassion and care for individuals. Hight approaches her role with complexity, recognising the multifaceted reasons behind criminal behaviour and the challenges of rehabilitation. She refrains from making blanket statements about the effectiveness of prisons and acknowledges that the factors influencing a prisoner’s path to reform often extend beyond their time served. Throughout her daily responsibilities, Hight displays a brisk efficiency paired with a measured empathy. For instance, she deals with prisoners’ concerns pragmatically, providing practical assistance without becoming overly emotionally involved. Her compassionate but firm style is well-regarded, even by those incarcerated for serious offences. Hight draws attention to the challenges within the correctional system, speaking to the inefficiencies of existing conditions in the aging facilities. Despite the difficulties, she remains determined and proactive in making changes where possible. She acknowledges the potential for her efforts to be undone by her successors but is committed to leaving a positive impact during her tenure. Ultimately, Isabel Hight's storied career is marked by her resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the prison system from within, embodying a progressive approach in a traditionally male-dominated environment. Her story is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the evolving role of women in positions of authority within correctional institutions.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand