Benefits to participants
Who can participate
Locations
Funding
Participant feedback
On this page
Inside Out is a prison exchange program that allows people in prison (‘inside’ students) to study justice and criminology together with students from RMIT University (External link) (‘outside’ students).
Students come together for 2 hours a week for 13 weeks to study a subject titled ‘Comparative Criminal Justice Systems’.
About 800 ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ students have participated in the Inside Out program so far.
Once all students complete the program, they can join RMIT’s prison-based ‘Think Tanks’, which provide a powerful and unique environment for further positive change.
The Think Tanks have led to more than 100 stakeholder consultations, and students have produced more than 50 thought-provoking reports for Corrections Victoria and other stakeholders.
The program is the only one of its kind in Australia and was introduced to Victorian prisons in 2015 by Associate Professor Marietta Martinovic in partnership with Corrections Victoria.
Benefits to participants
The program is rehabilitative for the people in custody and provides real life experiences to the ‘outside’ students.
It provides ‘outside’ students with a focus on humanising people in custody and the attitudes towards them. University students gain a rare insight into the human and social elements of incarceration.
The program prepares people in custody for life upon release. It builds their self-esteem, motivation and critical thinking skills. These skills are intended to provide motivation for further education leading to employment.
Who can participate
Becoming an ‘inside’ student is a privilege for people in custody. People in prison must seek permission to be included in any prison program.
Good behaviour is a strict condition of program participation.
Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Locations
Since the program started in Victorian prisons in 2015, it has taken place in 8 Corrections Victoria locations:
- Judy Lazarus Transition Centre
- Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
- Tarrengower Prison
- Ravenhall Correctional Centre
- Marngoneet Correctional Centre (including Karreenga)
- Loddon Prison Precinct (including Middleton) .
Funding
As an RMIT University program, Inside Out is funded by the university and run in Victorian prisons with the support of Corrections Victoria. If required, the support provided by Corrections Victoria includes:
- providing the space for the prison-based component of the program inside the prisons
coordinating and processing student access to the prisons
scheduling the in-prison component of the program.
Participant feedback
M ‘inside’ student
M has been in custody since 2021.
M joined the Inside Out program in 2023 after hearing about it from others at Loddon Prison who had completed the course.
M had an open mind but little understanding of what the program involved. M’s* initial reaction was ‘why do these people care about us criminals and our struggles?’. And while he still ponders this question, he says he feels privileged and grateful that they do.
M says the course has ‘opened his eyes’ to the complexities and challenges of the criminal justice system. It also helped him understand the similarities and differences between ours and other jurisdictions.
‘There are so many variables involved and from the readings and learning I have done so far, the only thing that pops up across all cultures and borders is the need for rehabilitation.’
M says he now realises that one of the purposes of Inside Out is to help the future generation of criminal justice ‘decision makers’ to see people like himself as ‘real’ people, and to have first-hand exposure to what they will be making decisions about.
‘We need to educate the people who will have the responsibility and authority to create change for the better.’
‘It will create memories of real-life experiences so when they are in that board meeting making important decisions, they are made with real world knowledge and understanding, not just academically learnt knowledge.’
*Name changed to prevent identification.
H ‘inside’ student
H has been involved in the Inside Out program for about 3 years.
He says it has reshaped his perspective on education and provided a ‘lifeline’ to new possibilities.
‘I’ve come to see Inside Out as a beacon of hope and transformation in the system, demonstrating that education is truly the gateway out of crime and towards rehabilitation.’
‘Inside Out offers a profound opportunity for those within prison walls to rediscover their sense of self-worth and engage in a world of learning that was previously beyond our reach.’
The Inside Out program has empowered H. He escaped the prejudices and challenges of his criminal history and redefined himself as a 'student' experiencing personal growth and hope for a meaningful future.
‘Think Tank extends this transformation into the realm of action, empowering graduates of Inside Out to contribute their voices and experiences to affect meaningful change.’
‘For me, the beauty of this program lies in its ability to foster a collective sense of purpose, not just for those incarcerated, but for all of us involved.’
*Name changed to prevent identification.
Isabel ‘outside’ student
Isabel is in her third and final year of a Criminology and Psychology Degree at RMIT University.
When Isabel heard about the Inside Out program she was immediately interested, feeling a strong connection to its mission.
‘This experience has provided me with an indescribable opportunity, learning that people in prison are much more than the sentences they have been given.’
‘It has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences of my life, offering a deep and nuanced understanding of the human beings behind the labels often imposed by society.’
‘Through this journey, I've witnessed firsthand the resilience, growth, and potential for change within individuals who are often overlooked or misunderstood. This realisation has profoundly impacted me, reinforcing my belief in the importance of second chances and the power of rehabilitation.’
The program has strengthened Isabel’s desire to help incarcerated individuals safely reintegrate back into society.
‘I could not be more grateful for this opportunity and hopefully the many more to come following it.’
Jaydon ‘outside’ student
Jaydon is in his third and final year of a Criminal Justice Degree at RMIT.
Jaydon chose the Inside Out program because ‘it provides a unique learning environment that is not completely reliant on academic sources but rather real-world perspectives that challenge personal perceptions.’
The program has increased his professional networks, developed a deeper understanding of societal issues, and has helped him synthesise his career goals.
Prior to participating in the program, Jaydon was most interested in a career in the Australian Border Force.
He is now considering applying for a graduate role with the Department of Justice and Community Safety where he might be able to work in the rehabilitation and reintegration program space.
'The course stimulates constant personal growth through reflecting and questioning personal views,’ says Jaydon.
‘By taking the course, I have learnt that stigma associated with prisons and inmates is not entirely accurate, and effective peer learning can still be achieved in a prison.’