Parolee Support Initiative (PSI)

1. Parolee Support Initiative (PSI)

2. 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

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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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.

8. 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: • Intellectual Disability and the Criminal Justice System SOG • 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

9. 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

10. 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 How the Project Works

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 2006 NSW BOC Statistics • 23% re-offend within 3 months of release • 52% within 12 months • 64% within 2 years • 68% within 27-39 months If has 4 or more prior custodial sentences: • 79% re-offend within 12 months • 91% within 24 months

16. Client Statistics

17. Client Sample

18. Client Sample continued

19. Client A

21. Client B

23. Statistics on clients

24. 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)

25. PSI Contact Details Parolee Support Initiative 360-362 The Horsley Drive Fairfield NSW Telephone: (02) 9754 6861 Fax: (02) 9754 6851 Website: www.crcnsw.org.au

26. References Archie, T. 2008. Silverwater Parole Unit Briefing. Corrective Services NSW. Doing Time: Drug Use in Australian Prisons. Anex Bulletin. Vol4, ed1. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: http://www.anex.org.au/downloads/bulletin_vol4_1.pdf The Health of Australia’s Prisoners. 2009. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/phe/123/11012-c03.pdf Hollero, M. 2010. Parolee Support Initiative Evaluation Report Draft. Sydney. Corrective Services NSW Martinson, R. 1974. What Works?- Questions and Answers about Prison Reform. National Affairs, 35, Spring. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: http://www.nationalaffairs.com/public_interest/issues/spring-1974 Risk of Reoffending among Parolees. Crime and Justice Bulletin, 91, January 2006. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/cjb91.pdf $file/cjb91.pdf The Role of Housing in Preventing Re-Offending. AHURI Research and Policy Bulletin, 36, 2004. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from: http://www.ahuri.edu.au/publications/projects/p70068