For over two years, BUSY Ability has worked in collaboration with Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) delivering pre-and post-release employment and support programs to prisoners.
The successful partnership allows BUSY Ability to deliver the Pre-Release Prisoner Initiative program with referrals from eleven centres throughout South-East Queensland. Participants are given access to employment services support that is funded through the Australian Government’s Workforce Australia, Employment Services.
Providing hope and confidence to individuals with lived experience of the justice system, in collaboration with QCS, providing soft skills training, resume updates, mock interviews and information on vocational and non-vocational training available to support them along the way. The initiative aims to ensure individuals are prepared before release and upon release, given support to secure employment and a career pathway. Since 1 July 2022, BUSY Ability has supported over 5,900 people into work (including 1207 First Nations people).
The support of QCS has enabled BUSY Ability to actively work with individuals before and after release to connect them with job search support and community organisations to facilitate the individuals’ transition into community and reduce the risk of re-offending.
Aaron Papas, Operations Manager of BUSY Ability’s Workforce Australia Employment Services, stated “Our partnership with QCS enables individuals to gain an understanding of the supports we can provide, preparing them to re-enter the workforce, knowing they have our full support. At BUSY Ability we value working together to provide people the best chance to engage and work in our local community.”
Tracy Taylor, Manager of Education Services, Offender Rehabilitation and Management Services at QCS stated, “For the last two years QCS and BUSY Ability have worked together to provide pre-employment support to our prisoners across correctional centres in Queensland, prior to release into the community. This service has been supported by QCS officers and well received by prisoners. The common feedback we receive from prisoners is that the service provided by BUSY Ability has given them hope for their future and more confidence in gaining employment post release.
“BUSY Ability has worked collaboratively to provide employment opportunities to prisoners when released into the community. Gaining employment in the community can help to reduce recidivism, provide a stable income leading to more secure housing and restore safety in communities making for a safer Queensland.”
Lorretta Evans, Manager of Pre-Release Team at BUSY Ability, appreciates the partnership with QCS and the positive outcomes, stating, “The best part of my job is supporting individuals with lived experience in the justice system to move forward with hope and a better version of themselves. Importantly, participants are provided a roadmap to a brighter future before release, transitioning into employment and community.”
BUSY Ability can support your business to find skilled and capable workers! For more information contact 1800 161 335 or email info@busyability.org.au
Lorretta Evans (left), Manager of BUSY Ability’s Pre-Release Team with Tracy Taylor (right), Manager of Education Services for Queensland Corrective Services.
The BUSY Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to the land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and their Elders past and present.
