Parolee Support Initiative (PSI)

Who We Are Community Restorative Centre (CRC) is the largest community organisation in NSW supporting prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families and friends. Reduce Crime and Change Lives through: Range of Targeted Programs Partnerships with other organisations Creating opportunities for clients

CRC Programs Transitional Support Accommodation Support Parolee Support Initiative Intake Service Connect- Supporting families of Prisoners

CRC Programs Continued Court Support Scheme Transport Family Support Jailbreak Health Project Resource Development StAMP Mentoring Program

Parolee Support Initiative The Parolee Support Initiative (PSI) is a pilot program that provides housing and intensive transitional support to parolees with mental illness/intellectual disability upon release from custody

Parolee Support Initiative The aims of PSI are to reduce the cycle of homelessness and re-offending

Background Through 2004 election commitments, CSNSW applied for and was granted funding of $400,000 p.a to implement a pilot of the project over 2 years The proposed project is in response to the issue of accommodation and support services for parolees with a mental health issue/intellectual disability. The annual funding will enable the provision of housing and support services for 5-8 parolees within a 12 month period. This funding is also recurrent.

Governance The project was implemented as a Shared Access model under the Housing & Human Services Accord The Accord provides an opportunity to consolidate existing housing and support arrangements The project reports to the: 1.Intellectual Disability and the Criminal Justice System SOG 2.Housing and Human Services SOG Steering Committee representing all participating agencies will oversee the implementation of this project Operational Committee comprising local representatives from participating agencies will oversee the assessment and acceptance of eligible referrals and assist in development of SLA

The Housing and Human Services Accord Community Restorative Centre (CRC) Housing NSW Sydney South West and Sydney West Area Health Services (SSWAHS & SWAHS) Corrective Services NSW ADHC

How the Project Works PSI provide ongoing intensive support program for parolees starting 3 months prior to release and 6-9 months post- release Guaranteed Housing NSW accommodation in Western Sydney area High staff-client ratio Up to 20 hours per week to link clients with the community services and assist with living skills 5-10 clients at any time Guaranteed long term community mental health case management

Risk Factors & Support Issues Homelessness Ongoing Physical Health and Mental Health Issues Intellectual Disability Peer Pressure Drug and Alcohol Issues Lack of Familial Support Lack of Education Lack of Recreational Activities Limited Social and Living Skills Institutionalisation Social Dislocation

Eligibility Criteria A functional mental illness and/or intellectual disability At risk of homelessness Voluntarily seeking support and willing to participate in support program Has a period of at least 6 months supervised parole Is identified as a medium to high risk of reoffending

Eligibility Criteria continued Fall outside of ADHC eligibility for service Willing to live in Fairfield/Liverpool/Parramatta area Has not been convicted of a child sex offence Has the capacity to live independently if their accommodation and support needs are met by services in the community

Community Partners and Services Drug and Alcohol Mental Health Intellectual Disability Accommodation Medical Practitioners Transport Services Employment Indigenous Services Recreational Vocational/Educational Government Agencies Local Community Services

2006 NSW BOC Statistics 23% re-offend within 3 months of release 52% within 12 months 64% within 2 years 68% within months If has 4 or more prior custodial sentences: 79% re-offend within 12 months 91% within 24 months

Client Statistics TotalMaleFemale Diagnosed Mental Illness: 1367%66% Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability: 6 31%33% Intellectual Disability: 633% Acquired Brain Injury: 427%0% Drug & Alcohol Dependency Issues: 16 87%100%

Client Sample Gender Mental Health/Intellectual Disability LSI-R Risk Category Most Serious Offence Previous Convictions Longest period out of custody MaleIntellectual Disability; ABI; Psychosis Medium High Robbery in Company14 months MaleParanoid SchizophreniaHighManslaughter6Unknown MaleSchizophrenia Medium High Murder114 years MaleIntellectual Disability Medium High Manslaughter0n/a Female Intellectual Disability; Borderline Personality Disorder HighMurder10+<6 months MaleIntellectual Disability; ABI Medium High Driving while Disqualified64 months MaleSchizophrenia; Intellectual Disability Medium High Aggravated Break and Enter years

Client Sample continued Gender Mental Health/Intellectual Disability LSI-R Risk Category Most Serious Offence Previous Convictions Longest period out of custody MaleBi-Polar Disorder Medium High Break and Enter and Steal Burglary 71-2 years Male Major Depression; PTSD; Borderline low IQ Medium High Aggravated Armed Robbery 20+4 weeks Female Borderline Personality Disorder; Schizophrenia; PTSD; Depression HighMurder20+9 months Male Mild Developmental delay; ADD; Sex Chromosome Abnormality Medium High Demand property with menace; Intimidate 3Unknown FemaleBi-Polar Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder HighArmed Robbery4Unknown Male Schizophrenia; Intellectual DisabilityMediumArmed Robbery3Unknown

Client A Mental Health/ Intellectual DisabilityBi-Polar Disorder Most Serious OffenceBreak & Enter Steal Burglary Longest Period out of Custody between Convictions1-2 years Major Factors for Re-offendingDrug Use, Mental Health

Client B Mental Health/ Intellectual DisabilityBi-Polar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder Most Serious OffenceArmed Robbery Longest Period out of Custody between ConvictionsUnknown Major Factors for Re-offendingDrug Use, Mental Health, Financial Issues, Impulsivity

Statistics on clients Total Number of Clients Exited: 847% Return to Custody: Breached by Parole for non-compliance with conditions: 5 Re-offended: 1 27% 5% Tenancy Maintenance100% Accessing Community Services100%

Post-PSI Community Mental Health Probation and Parole Housing NSW NEAMI (Mental Health) The Junction Works (Intellectual Disability) PRA (Mental Health) Aftercare (Mental Health and Intellectual Disability) PHAMS (Mental Health)

PSI Contact Details Parolee Support Initiative The Horsley Drive Fairfield NSW Telephone: (02) Fax: (02) Website:

References Archie, T Silverwater Parole Unit Briefing. Corrective Services NSW. Doing Time: Drug Use in Australian Prisons. Anex Bulletin. Vol4, ed1. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: The Health of Australia’s Prisoners Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Hollero, M Parolee Support Initiative Evaluation Report Draft. Sydney. Corrective Services NSW Martinson, R What Works?- Questions and Answers about Prison Reform. National Affairs, 35, Spring. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: Risk of Reoffending among Parolees. Crime and Justice Bulletin, 91, January Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: $file/cjb91.pdf The Role of Housing in Preventing Re-Offending. AHURI Research and Policy Bulletin, 36, Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: