Planning ahead

All prisoners are encouraged to prepare for life when they leave prison.

Every prisoner receives a small allowance to help with reintegration into society. Prisoners cannot access this allowance while in prison.

Support

Prisoners are able to seek advice from support groups, case managers, social workers, an Aboriginal Liaison Officer and health staff.

They will be able to assist with things like finding somewhere to live, getting a job, looking after money and debt, arranging Centrelink and organising a doctor and health issues.

Prisoners can get additional support closer to their release if they have abused substances or committed domestic violence offences.

Pre-release

Many prisoners whom have spent a long time in prison may be eligible for a transfer to a pre-release facility.

This will usually take place 18 months prior to their release date. These prisons specialise in preparing the prisoner for release and resettlement in society.

They have onsite training and rehabilitation facilities. The pre-release centres also introduce prisoners to community corrections staff and case managers with experience finding suitable accommodation.

Prisoners in a pre-release facility are also able to have greater access to their loved ones.

They may be eligible for weekend family leave and their loved ones are able to visit any day throughout the week.

Issues prisoners should consider

Families of prisoners may not be willing to have them back in their home.

It is better to know of these issues so prisoners can get used to the idea and plan an alternative.

Prisoners could cause further issues for their family, and themselves if the home situation is unstable. Pressuring family into accepting them is not a good idea.

The prisoner's community corrections officer will need to know where they are planning on living.