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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Resources for Job-seekers
COMING SOON!
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.
