Partnerships in Transition Department of Justice Victoria Partnerships in Transition Experiences of the Judy Lazarus Transition Centre (JLTC)

JLTC Background Partnerships in Transition Operating since April 2007 Male prisoners, serving long sentences or a sequence of shorter sentences who are assessed to have significant barriers to transition and demonstrate willingness to engage in change Intensive transitional program (last 6-8 months of sentence) designed to reduce re-offending Strengths based case management model (GLM) Daily access to community (work experience, volunteering, services, supports, counselling, education, familiarisation) based on demonstrated needs Brief outline of JLTC program – to set the scene and demonstrate experience

JLTC Results Partnerships in Transition 84% of residents released in the last financial year were employed upon release (85% had reported no confirmed job prospects on arrival at JLTC) 94% of Residents released in this time were assisted to organise housing without burdening the public and community housing systems (family or friends, share houses or private rental) JLTC residents completed an average of 5468 hours of community work per month in the last financial year (across 14 not for profit organisations) 95% of residents reported increased support and connection to family and community due to their time at JLTC 89% of residents who transitioned from JLTC have successfully completed at least 2 years in the community post sentence Snap shot of some of the key results of the program

A ‘Wicked Problem’ Partnerships in Transition Regardless of whether you talk to academics/researchers, look at the top models of rehabilitation or talk to the workers at the coal face there is one thing all agree on… The question of how to improve rehabilitation is a wicked problem (massively complex, devastating in impact, emotionally charged, unattractive and under resourced)

Power of Community Partnerships Partnerships in Transition Power of Community Partnerships Ongoing access to resources and relationships Variety needed to match individual needs Acceptance (belonging) leads to accountability Improved self confidence and belief (value) Increase capacity of support networks not just the individual The system/government services can only provide or fund limited resources, for a set time, to establish professional relationships (services) which are often pitched in “one direction” and not able to be tailored to individual needs. Meaningful relationships that are tailored to meet individual needs can be established through the community links to ongoing resources and relationships. The intrinsic value of support versus service (Here because of money V’s here because of me). Feeling accepted (and part of) leads to increased feelings of accountability to community norms and expectations (Tony Ward ANZATSA Conference 2009). Feeling valued leads to increased feelings of self efficacy (belief that change is possible) Building capacity in community – stronger (and/or more numerous) supports equal increased stability

Lessons Learnt Partnerships in Transition Know your public value (and be able to demonstrate it!) Have a contemporary marketing or promotional plan (understand your audience) Invite the public in (use their interest in the ‘inside world’ to open doors) Involve the individuals (real people and real stories make a difference) Be bold, but humble (ask but understand) Use your connections to make connections Match partnerships to meet individual needs (make it meaningful) Celebrate success and appreciate partners It’s not just about the clients we work with… think outside the box about the value you can provide to all interested parties (government, community, partner, victims, families, etc). Collect evidence to demonstrate your value (stats, success stories, testimonials, references, photos, articles, etc). Be creative, use current technology, connect to people by understanding the way they communicate and engage (social networking, visual arts, youtube videos, etc) Invite the public in and involve the individuals – NAB and Worksafe examples Be bold but humble – the Everest Icecream example Use your connections to make connections – the Pizzey Engineering example Make it meaningful and celebrate success – YMCA example

When it doesn’t work - Ron’s Story Partnerships in Transition When it doesn’t work - Ron’s Story Ron Uni Correspondence Course Service 2 Koori Community Service 1 Ron = 39 year old, aboriginal man serving his third adult prison sentence (had also had extensive contact with youth justice and the welfare system). He had no contact with family in the community (limited contact with his brother who was his co-offender and still in prison). Well educated in the prison system. He was nearing the end of a 14 year sentence and during his time in prison had established relationships with 2 community support services. Through his contact with one service he met a young women who was an avid church goer and interested in supporting someone to change their life. She started visiting him in prison and they eventually commenced a relationship. Due to his contact with the welfare system Ron was very passionate about the idea of working with young people in crisis and was completing a social work degree via correspondence to assist him in this goal. Through his contacts with the other support group he hoped to secure work of this kind. Although a proud aboriginal man Ron continued to decline offers to be involved with the Koori community and connect to Koori specific supports. Worked at a oppotunity shop for community work Was unable to secure work experience in the area he wanted to work in due to issues around working with children checks All supports were either welfare or community service based Studies were completed via correspondence Relationship developed into plans to get married and live together (shopping for rings, etc) and partners family were yet to meet him due to cultural issues around shame. Returned a positive urinalysis result and returned to prison within a couple of months of his intended release Partner

When it works – Tony’s Story Partnerships in Transition When it works – Tony’s Story Tony Family Work Experience Work Workout Teacher Tony = 50 year old, serving 11th term of imprisonment. No job prospects, work history, or qualifications, no accommodation, hadn’t studied formally since he left school at 15, (can’t live with family yet due to disconnect), 2 children (teenage step daughter – self harming, never lived with 6 year old son), never lived with family previously due to lifestyle, long term drug use and criminal associates. Enrolled in workout program – great relationship with volunteer teacher who helped him discover his strengths and desire to work with people (prison based experience as peer educator and listener, good with people who need extra support). Work experience organised at Mambourin Disability service, offered placement in Cert IV program funded by Mambourin, offered post release employment with Mambourin, developed new set of friends/supports (school mates, work mates, work mentor, teacher). Reported sense of purpose in life. Completed Cert IV in Disability and graduated early this month. Now working full time hours and hoping to secure full time ongoing role with Mambourin soon. Spent quality time with family, supported partner and daughter at mental health appointments, attended family counselling. Invited by partner to return to family home. Reported feeling of value to the family (emotional and financial). Encouraged partner to access supports to assist her in managing her daughters behaviour. Participated in community work at sunshine mission. Became a valued member of the team and developed post release supports that he remains in contact with. Introduced partner to supports at sunshine mission – building her capability. Released in November 2012 Cert IV class Friends Service 1 Service 2

Questions/Discussion Judy Lazarus Transition Centre Questions/Discussion