Since its inception in 2018, The Work Ready, Release Ready (WRRR) Program has been instrumental in supporting individuals engaging with correctional services to re-enter society. Delivering the program in partnership with the Department for Correctional Services (DSC), Workskil Australia is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, supporting sentenced individuals to build the skills, confidence, and resources necessary to find meaningful employment and reintegrate into the community upon release.

The program was pivotal in helping the South Australian Government achieve its goal of reducing reoffending rates by 10% by 2020. With over 1700 participants commencing in the program and a remarkable 52% employment rate among released participants, WRRR has proven to be a catalyst for positive change, not only for individuals but also for their families and communities, helping to break the cycle, create second chances and ultimately help individuals lead positive lives.

“Stable employment is crucial for reducing the likelihood of reoffending, and ongoing success post-prison, says Nicole Dwyer, CEO of Workskil Australia. “Throughout our delivery of Work Ready, Release Ready, we’ve seen real examples of the positive impact on participants, their families and the businesses that employ them.”

“We’re proud of the success of the program so far and looking forward to enabling meaningful change for more participants in new regions under the expansion.”

WRRR Plus, the next iteration of the program, will implement several key initiatives including:

Broadening the eligibility criteria to the program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Increasing intensity and duration of the program when required
Increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working in the program
Improved engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Controlled Community Organisations (ACCOs), and
Developing specific, targeted training strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait participants

There will also be a new program phase, Community Ready. In addition to our ongoing work with prison-leavers, Community Ready supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women serving short sentences or who are on remand, bail or serving Community Orders. Participants will attend a range of group sessions or cultural programs with mentoring to address barriers before receiving support to find and keep sustainable employment. This phase will support an estimated 120 additional participants each year.

To further enhance employment outcomes, a new industry model has been developed to identify and create pathways into high-demand sectors such as construction, mining, customer service, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. By aligning in-prison training with industry needs, this model will provide participants with the skills and experience required to secure stable employment upon release.

These new initiatives will be crucial in helping to achieve, and potentially exceed, the South Australian Government’s current target to reduce reoffending by 20% by 2026. With South Australia already boasting the nation’s lowest reoffending rate, exceeding the national average by 13%, we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformative work.

As the sole employment services provider delivering the Work Ready, Release Ready program, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Department for Correctional Services, our training and community partners, the dedicated WRRR team, and the participants for their invaluable contributions to the program’s success.

Work Ready, Release Ready is more than just a program; it is a commitment to breaking the cycle of reoffending and creating a brighter future for all.