Reintegration

When you’re ready for change, we’ve got your back.

Move on with confidence

Being released from prison is one of those bittersweet moments in life. On one hand, you finally get your freedom back. On the other hand, are you really ready? Our job is to help you get through the process of release and adjusting naturally back into normal life. We work with you to consider what the future may look like six months ahead, from the people you want in your life, to where you’ll live and how you’ll make money. All the while we’ll take you out of your comfort zone, forcing you to think about what life looks like where you make positive decisions, for yourself.

How it works

Accordwest programs improve your life skills, prepare for release, find somewhere to live, and link up with job network providers, family and community support services. These include:

Remand
Life Skills (Community Transition Program)
Pre-release Support
Post-release Support
Transitional Accommodation Support Services.

We also offer a comprehensive Trauma Counselling program. Accessed either before or after release, the treatment focus of Trauma Counselling can lead to changes towards new ways of living life. Through regular counselling sessions, our therapeutic interventions and psychosocial education groups will assist to manage past trauma related experiences and assist in making better choices in the future.

Remand

Improve your life skills and prepare for release.

Our Remand interviews are based on the idea of ‘throughcare’. By learning about your story; where you’ve been, how you’re feeling about your journey and the goals you want to set yourself for the future, we can provide you with information about the tools and support available to you during this time.

How it works

All Remand prisoners are interviewed and introduced to support services. Individual interview-style meetings are run once a week to collect essential data, inform you of reintegration and other available essential services, and offer support to assist with finishing any requirements regarding the change in your current circumstances.

Life Skills

Building your ability to successfully transition into your community.

Life Skills (Community Transition Program) is made up of pre-determined modules that have been approved by the Department of Justice. Together we’ll work through a range of modules gradually building your ability to successfully transition into your community.

How it works

Carrying out 2 modules a day, we’ll work with you in group sessions to cover topics including meeting parole requirements, dealing with change, looking for work, Centrelink, opening a bank account, accommodation and housing issues, coping skills, parenting skills, relationships and family, domestic violence, anger management and physical and emotional health for you and your family.

PRE RELEASE SUPPORT

Receive valuable support along this very important journey

The journey moving toward being released is one of mixed thoughts and emotions. With the potential of so much to look forward to, we hope the idea of taking charge of your own life and making your way in the world is something that excites you. It’s a journey we see people go through often – regaining control as you move from thinking ‘I can do this’ to ‘I will do this’ through to the feeling that ‘I have done this’. Our team is here to provide the support, help you navigate ensuring the best possible outcome.

How it works

After being referred, we’ll assess your story and prepare you for your return to community. A key part of this is working with you to develop a comprehensive support plan tailored to your needs. We maintain regular contact with you until you are released to monitor and assist with transition and any late changes to your circumstances which impact on your plan. We’ll also refer you to other support agencies you may require as outlined in your support plan and support you with issues related to sourcing accommodation and essential transport. And finally, if you’re being processed in Bunbury Regional Prison but looking to relocate outside the South West, we’ll refer you to the Reintegration service provider for the relevant region.

POST RELEASE SUPPORT

Receive support to achieve your goals and build your sense that you can do this on your own.

Our Post Release Support program is designed to help you put your best foot forward after your release. Using your support plan as a guide, we’ll work alongside other service providers, confronting any issues and filling any gaps to ensure you get the wide-ranging support you need for up to 12 months after your release. If we identify any other areas of need during this time, we’ll do our best to support you there too.

How it works

You will be released on parole or on a finite sentence. You can receive assistance working towards employment and training opportunities, benefit from links to medical providers to meet your health needs, support to source accommodation, and links to appropriate support services that you may require.

Transitional Accommodation Support Service (TASS)

A safe accommodation option for people recently released from prison.

TASS is a safe accommodation option for people being released from prison. Think of it as transitional and shared accommodation to help you build a launch pad from which to make a fresh start (without falling into the traps that increase your risk of committing crime again). We’re not here to pass judgement – we just want to make sure you’ve got a roof over your head with the support you need to regain control over your life.

How does it work?

Our TASS housing will ensure you have your own bedroom, while sharing a bathroom, kitchen, laundry and other living areas with other like-minded housemates. Our support services are varied, ranging from Short-term accommodation (up to 3 months after release), Transitional accommodation and support services are accessible to approved clients.

After you are released, our journey of support continues. We’re on hand to help with organising Centrelink payments, linking back in with family and friends, keeping a place to live, building life skills, finding a job and somewhere permanent to live.

Parenting and Support Services (PASS)

Providing support, education and advice to parents at Bunbury Regional Prison and in the community.

When you find yourself behind bars, it can feel like you lose more than your freedom. Time away from family can place a strain on the best of relationships. But a meaningful life is only as good as the people around you. So when your release day comes, you need the skills and commitment to connect with your family and community, in all the right ways. That’s where we come in.

How we help

PASS delivers help inside and outside the prison. Focused on generating results uniquely for you, we’ll work together to reduce your chance of reoffending by helping you understand how incarceration impacts your family, re-establish and strengthen positive child and family relationships, and increase knowledge and skills that promote positive family and community participation including improving child/young person wellbeing. To be eligible you must be a parent of a child (or have a key parenting role in a child’s life) while in the prison system.

If you’ve had a restraining order in place against your child, or have been convicted of sexual of physical assault against a minor you are not eligible for PASS.