Resources

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

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

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.

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: 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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). 

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.

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.

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 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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