Since the Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility (MCRF) opened in 2020, more than 250 men have used it to transition into long term housing and employment, helping them stay away from crime.
MCRF provides temporary housing for up to 42 men at a time who have either served their sentences or qualified for parole and are ready to reintegrate.
Men leaving the MCRF are 30% less likely to re-offend when compared to those leaving prison without similar supports.
Using an evidence-based approach of reintegration support and services, men at the facility are supported to address their transition needs and engage in employment support, health services and housing services to secure long term housing.
MCRF is operated by Corrections Victoria in partnership with Jesuit Social Services and G4S.
Travis’s story
MCRF Operations Manager Danielle Ricciardi highlighted that every resident’s journey is individual and with support tailored to individual needs.
Some residents need assistance linking in with services to access the disability support pension. Others are more independent and their support looks completely different.
One journey that has stayed with Danielle is the story of former MCRF resident Travis.
Before he was in prison, Travis was living in a caravan park and battling a range of health and substance abuse issues that lead to him falling into negative behaviours.
Eventually he was incarcerated, and in his own words ‘being locked up was a blessing in disguise’ because it forced him to focus on getting well.
Before being released, it was identified that Travis had no stable housing to go to. After being assessed, he was provided with a place at the MCRF where he stayed for 9 months.
‘Having a roof over my head and a support network to call on was a huge help. It meant I could save money and get help with resume writing, and get my life back on track.’
Travis used his time at MCRF to get job ready. Because of his circumstances prior to being incarcerated, he had not worked a stable job for 10 years.
Due to his offences, Travis did not have his driver’s licence, but he refused to let it stand in his way. He decided to do a door knock of the local area. ‘I knew I had supports in place, but I really just wanted to do it myself.’
He managed to secure a job interview, and only narrowly missed out on the job because he didn’t have his driver’s licence. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Travis took his new-found interview confidence to the next interview which he landed.
Travis is now a fork-lift driver for a local logistics company.
Thanks to the support of the MCRF and his employer giving him a chance, Travis was able to save enough money to offer rent in advance. This helped him secure his own independent, long-term housing.
‘Words can’t explain how grateful I am to my case worker and people who helped me at the MCRF’, said Travis.
Recent additional funding in the budget for the MCRF means it can continue helping men leaving prison break the cycle of reoffending and keep the community safe.
Congratulations to all the staff at MCRF for the support they provide and for their continued work in helping men transition back into the community.
Image: pictured from left to right - Suzi James Nevell, Acting General Manager Adult Justice Programs, Jesuit Social Services, Lisa Cushen, Acting General Manager Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility, Danielle Ricciardi, Operations Manager Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility.