Strategies to Enhance Employment of Indigenous Ex-Offenders After Release From Correctional Institutions

• NCJ Number: 238145
• Author(s): Joseph Graffam; Alison Shinkfield
• Date Published: March 2012
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis; Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Resource Sheet No. 11

Annotation

This resource sheet discusses issues associated with the employment of Indigenous ex-prisoners in Australia, existing support programs, and strategies for employing more ex-prisoners after their release from correctional institutions.

Abstract

Existing data show that Indigenous Australians are over-represented in all correctional systems of Australian States and Territories. Upon release from prison, adult Indigenous ex-prisoners experience complex and wide-ranging limitations to their employment. Although there are numerous prison-based and community-based programs that aim to improve employability and sustained employment, only a small number of Indigenous-specific programs have been developed. Evaluations have shown that programs which incorporate Indigenous knowledge and practices, particularly those that involve Indigenous facilitators or traditional elders in their delivery, work well with Indigenous ex-prisoners. More general guidelines for making programs effective are a long-term focus (minimum of 1 year) and a strong case-management approach. Transition programs that begin before release from prison, with clearly stated program objectives and individualized assistance, are more likely to be effective. Programs with a broad approach to facilitating post-release reentry, i.e., those that address issues related to social disadvantage and employment, are also more likely to have a successful outcome. Other features related to the effectiveness of post-release programs are on-the-job work experience and other forms of support, as well as the use of mainstream Job Services Australia (JSA) employment services. A practice that is likely to lead to reentry failure, particularly for Indigenous ex-prisoners, is to leave the individual unassisted in attempting to overcome all the known barriers to employment. Before evidence-based employment programs for Indigenous ex-prisoners can be developed, more research is needed on what works in assisting such ex-prisoners to enter the job market. Research suggestions are offered.