Parolee Support Initiative

(PSI)

Who We Are

Community Restorative Centre (CRC) is the

largest community organisationin NSW supporting prisoners, ex-prisoners

and their families and friends.

Reduce Crime and Change Lives through:

• Range of Targeted Programs• Partnerships with other organisations• Creating opportunities for clients

CRC Programs

• Transitional Support• Accommodation Support• Parolee Support Initiative• Intake Service• Connect- Supporting families of

Prisoners

CRC Programs Continued

• Court Support Scheme• Transport• Family Support• Jailbreak Health Project• Resource Development• StAMP Mentoring Program

Parolee Support Initiative

The Parolee Support Initiative (PSI) is apilot program that provides housing andintensive transitional support to paroleeswith mental illness/intellectual disability

upon release from custody

Parolee Support Initiative

The aims of PSI are to reduce the cycle of homelessness and

re-offending

Background

• Through 2004 election commitments, CSNSW applied for and was granted funding of $400,000 p.a to implement a pilot of the project over 2 years

• The proposed project is in response to the issue of accommodation and support services for parolees with a mental health issue/intellectual disability.

• The annual funding will enable the provision of housing and support services for 5-8 parolees within a 12 month period.

• This funding is also recurrent.

Governance

• The project was implemented as a Shared Access model under the Housing & Human Services Accord

• The Accord provides an opportunity to consolidate existing housing and support arrangements

• The project reports to the: 1. Intellectual Disability and the Criminal Justice System SOG2. Housing and Human Services SOG

• Steering Committee representing all participating agencies will oversee the implementation of this project

• Operational Committee comprising local representatives from participating agencies will oversee the assessment and acceptance of eligible referrals and assist in development of SLA

The Housing and Human Services Accord

• Community Restorative Centre (CRC)

• Housing NSW• Sydney South West and Sydney

West Area Health Services (SSWAHS & SWAHS)

• Corrective Services NSW• ADHC

How the Project Works

• PSI provide ongoing intensive support program for parolees starting 3 months prior to release and 6-9 months post- release

• Guaranteed Housing NSW accommodation in Western Sydney area

• High staff-client ratio

• Up to 20 hours per week to link clients with the community services and assist with living skills

• 5-10 clients at any time

• Guaranteed long term community mental health case management

Risk Factors & Support Issues

• Homelessness• Ongoing Physical Health and Mental Health

Issues• Intellectual Disability• Peer Pressure• Drug and Alcohol Issues• Lack of Familial Support• Lack of Education• Lack of Recreational Activities• Limited Social and Living Skills• Institutionalisation• Social Dislocation

Eligibility Criteria

• A functional mental illness and/or intellectual disability

• At risk of homelessness• Voluntarily seeking support and

willing to participate in support program

• Has a period of at least 6 months supervised parole

• Is identified as a medium to high risk of reoffending

Eligibility Criteria continued

• Fall outside of ADHC eligibility for service

• Willing to live in Fairfield/Liverpool/Parramatta area

• Has not been convicted of a child sex offence

• Has the capacity to live independently if their accommodation and support needs are met by services in the community

Community Partners and Services

Drug and Alcohol

Mental Health

Intellectual Disability

Accommodation

Medical Practitioners

Transport Services

Employment

Indigenous Services

Recreational

Vocational/Educational

Government Agencies

Local Community Services

2006 NSW BOC Statistics

• 23% re-offend within 3 months of release• 52% within 12 months• 64% within 2 years• 68% within 27-39 months

If has 4 or more prior custodial sentences:

• 79% re-offend within 12 months• 91% within 24 months

Client Statistics

Total Male Female

Diagnosed Mental Illness: 13 67% 66%

Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability: 6

31% 33%

Intellectual Disability: 6 33% 33%

Acquired Brain Injury: 4 27% 0%

Drug & Alcohol Dependency Issues: 16

87% 100%

Client Sample

Gender

Mental Health/Intellectual Disability

LSI-R RiskCategor

y

Most Serious Offence

PreviousConviction

s

Longestperiod out of custody

MaleIntellectual Disability; ABI;

PsychosisMedium

HighRobbery in Company 1 4 months

Male Paranoid Schizophrenia High Manslaughter 6 Unknown

Male SchizophreniaMedium

HighMurder 1 14 years

Male Intellectual DisabilityMedium

HighManslaughter 0 n/a

FemaleIntellectual Disability; Borderline

Personality DisorderHigh Murder 10+

<6 mont

hs

Male Intellectual Disability; ABIMedium

HighDriving while

Disqualified6 4 months

MaleSchizophrenia; Intellectual

DisabilityMedium

HighAggravated Break and

Enter 20+ 3-4 years

Client Sample continued

Gender

Mental Health/Intellectual Disability

LSI-R RiskCategor

y

Most Serious Offence

PreviousConviction

s

Longestperiod out of custody

Male Bi-Polar DisorderMedium

HighBreak and Enter and

Steal Burglary7 1-2 years

MaleMajor Depression; PTSD;

Borderline low IQMedium

HighAggravated Armed

Robbery20+ 4 weeks

FemaleBorderline Personality Disorder;

Schizophrenia; PTSD; Depression

High Murder 20+ 9 months

MaleMild Developmental delay; ADD;

Sex Chromosome AbnormalityMedium

High

Demand property with menace;

Intimidate3

Unknown

Female Bi-Polar Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder

High Armed Robbery 4Unknow

n

Male Schizophrenia; Intellectual Disability

Medium Armed Robbery 3Unknow

n

Client A

0

5

10

15

20

25

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58

Weeks

Nu

mb

er

of

Su

pp

ort

Ho

urs

Mental Health/ Intellectual Disability Bi-Polar Disorder

Most Serious Offence Break & Enter Steal Burglary

Longest Period out of Custody between Convictions 1-2 years

Major Factors for Re-offending Drug Use, Mental Health

Client BMental Health/ Intellectual Disability Bi-Polar Disorder, Borderline Personality

Disorder

Most Serious Offence Armed Robbery

Longest Period out of Custody between Convictions Unknown

Major Factors for Re-offending Drug Use, Mental Health, Financial Issues,

Impulsivity

0

5

10

15

20

25

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39

Weeks

Nu

mb

er o

f S

up

po

rt

Ho

urs

Statistics on clients

Total Number of Clients Exited: 8 47%

Return to Custody:•Breached by Parole for non-compliance with conditions: 5•Re-offended: 1

27%

5%

Tenancy Maintenance 100%

Accessing Community Services 100%

Post-PSI

• Community Mental Health• Probation and Parole• Housing NSW• NEAMI (Mental Health)• The Junction Works (Intellectual Disability)• PRA (Mental Health)• Aftercare (Mental Health and Intellectual

Disability)• PHAMS (Mental Health)

PSI Contact Details

Parolee Support Initiative360-362 The Horsley Drive

Fairfield NSWTelephone: (02) 9754 6861

Fax: (02) 9754 6851

Website: www.crcnsw.org.au

References

Archie, T. 2008. Silverwater Parole Unit Briefing. Corrective Services NSW.

Doing Time: Drug Use in Australian Prisons. Anex Bulletin. Vol4, ed1. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from:http://www.anex.org.au/downloads/bulletin_vol4_1.pdf

The Health of Australia’s Prisoners. 2009. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/phe/123/11012-c03.pdf

Hollero, M. 2010. Parolee Support Initiative Evaluation Report Draft. Sydney.Corrective Services NSW

Martinson, R. 1974. What Works?- Questions and Answers about Prison Reform. National Affairs,35, Spring. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from:http://www.nationalaffairs.com/public_interest/issues/spring-1974

Risk of Reoffending among Parolees. Crime and Justice Bulletin, 91, January2006. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from:http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/cjb91.pdf$file/cjb91.pdf

The Role of Housing in Preventing Re-Offending. AHURI Research andPolicy Bulletin, 36, 2004. Retrieved 15/4/2010 from:http://www.ahuri.edu.au/publications/projects/p70068