Trust the experts

We are the experts in this space and that’s why we’ve assembled some of the best resources available in Australia about this area of employment. Our resources are for:


Government

Funders

Employers

Mentors


Job-seekers

Media


Resources for Government Decision-Makers

Breaking the cycle of female incarceration should be of concern to everyone. Current research about the causes and effects of incarceration frequently positions entrenched disadvantage as a key factor in the incarceration of women. However, the research surrounding incarceration and employment, particularly how it affects women is a complex issue that spans gender and culture. It also includes the need to understand how female offenders perceive shame and stigma in relation to a criminal record as they seek employment. The research papers and resources below can help interested individuals and groups gain an understanding of some of these issues affecting women with a criminal record. They discuss employment relations, as they relate to recruitment discrimination, and discrimination law. We hope that this literature can help everyone to understand the important challenges that women face after they have experienced the criminal justice system, and especially alongside their attempts for rehabilitation through employment.

Explainer Video

This one-minute video explains why breaking the cycle of female incarceration needs to be a priority for policy and decision-makers.

Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) Report

Incarceration rates, spending on prisons and recidivism are all rising, even as rates of serious crime are not. Moreover, while overall numbers of female prisoners are lower than men, women’s incarceration rates have grown by more than 60 per cent over the last decade. This is despite the fact that there strong evidence on the benefits of alternatives to incarceration that require less spending and achieve better outcomes. With tight labour markets, the need for budget repair and growing demands on government resources, the CEDA report challenges ineffective policies and programs wherever they exist. It is also important to recognise as the report shows that approximately 70 per cent of imprisoned women are victims of crime themselves. It reinforces the fact that when a woman’s connection to her community is broken through incarceration, her disadvantage can be further entrenched. Her absence can also have inter­generational consequences for her children, creating further economic and social costs and an ever-widening cycle of disadvantage. Click below to read the report.

Signalling Success

Signalling Success is an evaluation of the Success Works pilot program by Diane van den Broek and Prudence Black. Click below to view. 

Female ex-offenders, Discrimination and Work

This research paper investigates the Role of the Success Works Initiative into female ex-offenders, discrimination and work.  A paper written by Dr Diane Van Den Broek, Dr Prudence Black and Eleni Psillakis.  Click below to read more

“Do Not Pass Go” Report

This short article highlights the type of ‘moral panic’ that often surrounds the exponential increases in the demand for police checks during recruitment processes. It suggests that this drive for police checks reflects considerable fear and prejudice as well as fear of litigation on the part of employers in Australia. Source: Naylor, B. (2005). Do Not Pass Go: The Impacts of Criminal Behaviour Checks on Employment in Australia. Alternative Law Journal, 30 (4), 174–179.

“Criminal record checking and employment” Report

This article highlights the importance of employment to the rehabilitation of offenders, yet argues the growth of employers routinely checking criminal records often denies offenders employment. It outlines how recent campaigns aimed at ‘banning the box’, requiring that questions about criminal record are deferred to a later point when the person could address them in interview, may be an improved solution. The research draws on findings from surveys and interviews with human resources personnel about their criminal record checking practices to identify some key concerns of employers. The research highlights how legislation, government policy and industry regulation as well as internal factors about proximity of the decision maker to the applicant and to other staff shapes the willingness of some employers to engage with ex-offender applicants. It also suggests that opening up conversations with people with a criminal record will help them desist from reoffending. Despite this, many employers adopt a risk-averse approach to employment, pre-emptively excluding potentially productive employees, and putting such ex-offenders at risk of deeper exclusion.

Source: Heydon, G., & Naylor, B. (2018). Criminal record checking and employment: The importance of policy and proximity. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 51(3) 372–39.

“Women in Prison” Report

Women in Prison: an examination of the support needs of women in custody with children. This report by Jude Lobo and Mark Howard highlights the support needs of women with children in NSW prisons.

Opinion: Could prisoners be the solution for labour shortages?

Recently the Institute of Public Affairs suggested that prisoners should be provided a choice of taking work in the service industry in lieu of a prison sentence. (SMH, 10.3.23) On the surface, this might seem like a great way to plug the immediate labour shortages faced by Australian service industries, while also sparing individuals time behind bars. They argue savings to taxpayers through reduced incarceration costs and extra income tax revenue.

However, such a proposal raises several concerns. Read the opinion piece by Associate Professor Diane van den Broek, Board Member

Mapping the needs and experiences of children affected by parental imprisonment: A national survey

Children who experience parental imprisonment are known to be some of the most disadvantaged and overlooked in our community. They often experience multiple and compounding disadvantages, with long-term consequences, but receive no specialised assistance. Rigorous knowledge about these children and their families is lacking in Australia and is required to inform policy development.  The study was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 31763). The study was commissioned by SHINE for Kids and is supported by funding from them. The aim of the report is to improve understanding of the characteristics, needs, and experiences of children with a parent in prison.

‘They weren’t there when I needed them’: we asked former prisoners what happens when support services fail

Experiences within the first day or two of release can dramatically shape a person’s post-release pathway. This article from The Conversation highlights the lack of support services for recently released prisoners.

Why are our prisons full of domestic violence victims?

The number of women in prison is continuing to soar, new data shows. But advocates warn we can’t arrest the increase until we start properly addressing domestic abuse, which affects an overwhelming majority of women behind bars.

Resources for Funders

Our funders play an essential role in changing women’s’ lives. Read below about our 3 year strategic plan and our impact.

Success Works Partners Strategic Plan 2023 – 2025

Our vision is a world where women who have been impacted by the criminal justice system face ZERO discrimination in recruitment and employment. Our Strategic Plan identifies four strategic objectives that will guide our work over the next three years, underpinned by our people and our values.

Signalling Success

Signalling Success is an evaluation of the Success Works pilot program by Diane van den Broek and Prudence Black. Click below to view. 

Female ex-offenders, Discrimination and Work

This research paper investigates the Role of the Success Works Initiative into female ex-offenders, discrimination and work.  A paper written by Dr Diane Van Den Broek, Dr Prudence Black and Eleni Psillakis.  Click below to read more

Our Theory of Change

This one-minute video explains why your support is so vital to breaking the cycle of female incarceration.

Our Theory of Change

This one page document outlines the Success Works Theory of Change, which explains how we work with women with a criminal record to deliver our impacts, which in turn lead to lasting change and a reduction in reoffending (recidivism). 

What are the root causes of women with a criminal record facing unemployment?

Understanding why women with a criminal record face unemployment is multi-faceted and can seem complex and hard to grasp. In this article, Success Works Board members Nicola Norris and Dr Prudence Black explain the reasons why women with a criminal record face such high levels of unemployment and how Success Works addresses this issue. It is a must-read for any employers, funders, and government decision-makers.

Resources for Employers

We meet so many employers, and the vast majority have asked for guidance in this area of recruitment. Download some of our FREE resources today! 

Hear from employer WINC, on why your background won’t hold you back at WINC!

Hayley Scott is Head of Social Impact for Winc, an Australia-wide workplace supplies company.

She loves her job and has valued her long-term relationship with the charity Dress for Success, Sydney, and more recently Success Works. As part of this support, Hayley meets with Success Works monthly and checks the list of roles for potential candidates.

10 Ways to Safeguard your Organisation against complaints of discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record

There is a great deal of misunderstanding by employers and recruiters about discrimination on the basis of a criminal record, which can lead to employees and candidates making complaints to the Human Rights Commission. Discrimination occurs when the following situations happen based on the inappropriate use of a criminal record:

Job refusal
Employment dismissal
The denial of training opportunities
Harassment in the workplace

This fact sheet has been produced by Success Works Partners to assist employers, HR managers and recruiters to understand some of the common pitfalls to guard against complaints.

Unsure about how to assess and manage police checks?

Our 6 step guide will provide you with a clear and consistent approach to assessing risk and to guiding the decision-making process around this area of recruitment, with expert tips on how to assess and manage the Police Check process.

Please email us for a copy of this guide and we will be happy to send it out to you: info@successworks.org.au 

“Do Not Pass Go” Report

This short article highlights the type of ‘moral panic’ that often surrounds the exponential increases in the demand for police checks during recruitment processes. It suggests that this drive for police checks reflects considerable fear and prejudice as well as fear of litigation on the part of employers in Australia. Source: Naylor, B. (2005). Do Not Pass Go: The Impacts of Criminal Behaviour Checks on Employment in Australia. Alternative Law Journal, 30 (4), 174–179.


“Criminal record checking and employment” Report

This article highlights the importance of employment to the rehabilitation of offenders, yet argues the growth of employers routinely checking criminal records often denies offenders employment. It outlines how recent campaigns aimed at ‘banning the box’, requiring that questions about criminal record are deferred to a later point when the person could address them in interview, may be an improved solution. The research draws on findings from surveys and interviews with human resources personnel about their criminal record checking practices to identify some key concerns of employers. The research highlights how legislation, government policy and industry regulation as well as internal factors about proximity of the decision maker to the applicant and to other staff shapes the willingness of some employers to engage with ex-offender applicants. It also suggests that opening up conversations with people with a criminal record will help them desist from reoffending. Despite this, many employers adopt a risk-averse approach to employment, pre-emptively excluding potentially productive employees, and putting such ex-offenders at risk of deeper exclusion.

Source: Heydon, G., & Naylor, B. (2018). Criminal record checking and employment: The importance of policy and proximity. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 51(3) 372–39.

Need Workers? Hiring Job Seekers With a Criminal Record Can Be the Right Move

In a tight labour market, more companies are seeing the benefit of giving every candidate a fair chance. This WSJ article shows how employers in the US are embracing change.

TED Talk: Why we hire “unemployable” people

Trips to a bakery always ends with a cookie and a smile -but at the Greyston Bakery in New York, USA,  run by Mike Brady and Dion Drew, the extra icing is their goal of serving up a second chance. The recipe for the success of their enterprise includes a commitment to employing a range of chronically unemployed people, including former convicts and recovering addicts.

Resources for Mentors

“It grounds me”: The Shared Value of Mentoring

Julie Babineau is the CEO of Odyssey House NSW a rehabilitation service. In this article, Julie shares her experience of being a Success Works mentor. Julie was interviewed in late 2022.  Julie was interviewed by Board member Associate Professor Diane van den Broek

What will you gain from being a Success Works mentor?

Gemma Kollios is the Success Works Mentor Coordinator. Gemma’s role is to oversee the mentoring program, match mentors with mentees, provide training and ongoing support to ensure a successful mentoring experience. She is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of women who have been affected by the criminal justice system.  In this article, Gemma explains the benefits of being a mentor

Share our flyer with a friend or colleague and encourage them to be a mentor

Success Works Partners is looking for women from all different cultural, social and occupational backgrounds to participate as volunteer mentors. Download our flyer and share it with your colleagues and friends today.

“Leave those labels behind and create a new one for yourselves” Hear from inspiring Mentor Toni Craig

Toni Craig is a Senior Change Manager with NAB. She is also a Success Works mentor. Toni was interviewed in June 2023 and she shared her experience of mentoring with Success Works.

Resources for Job-seekers

From incarceration to transforming the lives of others: Eleni’s inspiring story

Currently a Manager at Success Works, Eleni helps transform the lives of women effected by the criminal justice system. With a history of undiagnosed anxiety and depression, and an intense people pleasing personality, Eleni lived with anorexia in her late teens. After the breakdown of her twenty-one year marriage, a return of depression and some bad decisions, Eleni was incarcerated for 11 months. Eleni shares her story around eating disorder, depression, mental health within the prison system and what happens to women after incarceration. 

A truly insightful, raw and honest conversation and we thank Eleni for sharing her story. 

A candidate story: Amy

Looking for a job can be a daunting task, and it can be even more challenging if you have a criminal record. Hear from candidate Amy* who was interviewed by Board member Dr Prudence Black.

In July 2022, Amy had just completed 14 months of rehab and while she was in a transition program she heard about Success Works. She hadn’t worked in 10 years, and she had no idea about how to get back into the workforce. She contacted Success Works and found immediate support. Amy said, “… it was really nice not to be judged. And they helped to explain everything. And they made me feel really comfortable.” Read Amy’s story here


Community Restorative Centre: Surviving on the Outside: Getting Out of Prison

This information is for those preparing for release from prison, or for those who have recently been released.

Day-to-day challenges can put a lot of stress on someone who has just been released. Things like finding a place to live, talking to Centrelink or getting in touch with family and friends can all be difficult. Although you may have heard that many people released from custody end up back in prison sooner or later, there are many others who succeed in making a new start. The first few weeks and months are critical. This information is here to help you through this time.


Could you rebuild your life after prison? | Juanita Schaffa de Mauri | TEDxKingsParkSalon

If you think life after prison must be a relief, think again. Juanita discovered that, even with a supportive family, rebuilding her life after incarceration was a hundred times harder than she imagined. Originally from Sydney, Juanita moved to Perth in 2023 searching for a fresh start and has since collaborated with The University of Western Australia’s Criminology lecturers, sharing her life experience with students. She is now a Peer Support Coordinator for Success Works, transforming the lives of women affected by the criminal justice system. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Have a record? Read our guide on applying for jobs

Looking for a job can be a daunting task, and it can be even more challenging if you have a criminal record. The fear and shame you feel when you ‘tick the box’ for a criminal record check can be overwhelming. However, there are people and organisations who are willing to see your skills and there are ways to increase your chances of landing a job despite having a criminal record. Just don’t give up! In this blog, we will discuss some tips on how to get a job with a criminal record. Our staff have been through this, so we know what it feels like!

Media Resources

Here are some examples of some past media stories. Success Works Partners engages with the media in order to educate the public and change public perceptions about women with a criminal record. If you are running a story, please contact Eleni on 0467 767076.

Diversity Council of Australia Article

Board member Diane van den Broek wrote this article for the Diversity Council of Australia to bring attention to one area of Diversity and Inclusion that is being overlooked by most employers. Click below to read it.

Meet the women helping smash the stigma of having a criminal record

Read about Juanita and Eleni who have both experienced the profound stigma of having a criminal record in this article on SBS News

Meet the women helping smash the stigma of having a criminal record

Hear from Juanita and Eleni who have both experienced the profound stigma of having a criminal record in this short 2 minute video.

A Future with Hope: UTS Shopfront Video

Thank you to the UTS Shopfront team who created this video for Success Works


Producer, Scriptwriter and 1st Assistant Director: Victoria Devine

Director and Editor: Charlotte Su

Director of Photography and Assistant Producer: Yuqing Li (Lori)

Production Design: Yuqing Li (Lori) and Jiacheng Zhu (Kayson) 

Sound, Camera Assistant, Lighting: Jiacheng Zhu (Kayson) 

Sound, Costume Design, Set Design and 2nd Assistant Director: Xinyu Yan (Joanna)

Actors:

Casey: Caitlyn Cabrié

Brian: Brian Bailey


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