Work Ready, Release Ready

Stable employment is crucial for reducing the likelihood of reoffending and ongoing success post-prison. The social and economic benefits of sustained employment are key motivators in reducing recidivism risk factors.

Work Ready, Release Ready supports sentenced individuals and those remanded in custody or on bail to succeed once a sentence is served, or while matters are being resolved.

Participants receive mentoring, training, skill-building opportunities and comprehensive community support to ensure successful integration into the community and increase their potential for securing a job. Training aligns with in-demand industries, including construction, mining, customer service, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. This provides participants with the best chances of gaining employment.

The program is available to South Australian men and women, with culturally safe mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

Workskil Australia is the sole provider of Work Ready, Release Ready, and operates the employment program on behalf of the South Australian Department for Correctional Services.

Work Ready, Release Ready includes support across the different phases of a participant's journey, with mentors playing a crucial role in their lives.

Work Ready

Participants work with their mentor to plan achievable goals (both vocational and non-vocational) before engaging in group training to build skills and earn accreditations for employment. Participants are also tutored in job search skills, communication and digital literacy.

Employers and previous participants attend as guest speakers to build motivation and enhance program engagement, by sharing their lived experiences.

Release Ready

This phase includes planning, advocacy, and coordination of housing, steps for maintaining physical and mental health, education or employment, and meeting essential living requirements.

The mentor will assist with life admin tasks, such as obtaining photo identification, opening a bank account, and accessing essential Government services. If required, the mentor will pick up the participant from Correctional Services on release day.

Employment

The Employment phase includes support in establishing stable accommodation and access to food, clothing, a mobile phone, and household items. Living requirements are followed by support to re-connect with family, build social connections, and engage with community, welfare, and health services.

Once these requirements are met, Workskil Australia delivers comprehensive employment support. This can include building job search and interview skills, crafting a quality resume, and advocating to employers.

Once employed, all participants receive 18 months of mentoring and workplace mediation.

Community Ready

The Community Ready Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants serving short sentences or on remand, bail and Community Orders.

Participants attend a range of group sessions or cultural programs depending on their circumstances, with mentoring to address the barriers they face transitioning to the community and employment.

On completion, participants transition to the Employment phase.

Work Ready, Release Ready is vital to South Australia's success in reducing recidivism. The state boasts the nation's lowest reoffending rate, exceeding the national average by 13 per cent. A 2023 Government evaluation credits the program and Workskil Australia's efforts as essential for reaching the preceding 10by20 target and working to slash recidivism by 20 per cent by 2026.

Reducing recidivism also contributes to the 2031 Closing the Gap target of reducing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in prisons by 15 per cent.

Approximately 55 per cent of Work Ready, Release Ready participants go on to find sustainable employment upon exiting correctional services. This impressive result underscores the program's effectiveness in providing a supported path and incentivising participants for making a positive change.

Speaking to the ABC, one participant described Work Ready, Release Ready as a "silver lining" to their situation. "You get to achieve things that you normally wouldn't on the outside," he said.

Participants who continue job searching once exited from the program receive ongoing coaching and community support to achieve their goals.

Work Ready, Release Ready is available to South Australian men and women who are aged 18 years or over and are:

• Sentenced and within two years of release
• In remand or on bail
• Servicing a Community Court Order

Further criteria may apply

Workskil Australia delivers Work Ready, Release Ready across South Australia within community and provides dedicated services from within the following correctional facilities:

• Adelaide Pre-Release Centre
• Adelaide Women's Prison
• Cadell Training Centre
• Mobilong Prison
• Mount Gambier Prison
• Port Augusta Prison
• Port Lincoln Prison
• Mirnu Units in Yatala Labour Prison