Ahead of National Corrections Day on 16 May 2025, we would like to recognise Corrections Victoria’s achievement in winning an international correctional excellence award for work in rehabilitation and reintegration.
The award was announced at the 2024 International Corrections and Prisons Association conference. There were 79 countries represented at the conference and Corrections Victoria won one of 6 awards available.
The award recognises the incredible work of the Inside to Outside Jobs Strategy, which provides opportunities for men and women to become job ready.
Fruit2Work delivery driver Ben has had success with the program.
Before his release from prison, Ben was registered with WISE Employment and completed vocational training.
In the 2 years since the strategy was launched, more than 400 people like Ben have got jobs in a range of sectors from construction to manufacturing and administration.
Data shows that people leaving prison with job placements are much less likely to reoffend with only 9% of people helped into work as part of the strategy returning to prison – significantly lower than the 2-year Victorian recidivism rate of 39.5%.
An important part of the strategy is linking people with employment service agencies with more than 1,200 people registered with employment service agencies pre-release. These agencies provide practical assistance, job vacancies and 26 weeks of wrap around support following job placement
The Inside to Outside Jobs Strategy incorporates a range of services including education and vocational training, on the job work experience through a range of prison-based industries, and support services provided in Employment Hubs.
These hubs provide job readiness guidance and advice from employment experts including connection to prospective employers like Fruit2Work, job interviews and links to employment support continuing post release.
Victoria has the second highest percentage of eligible people in prison participating in education and training nationally over the past 2 years and more than 90% of people in custody are engaged in prison industry work - the highest proportion in any jurisdiction across Australia.
A huge congratulations to everyone involved, the award is a testament to the fantastic work being done by Corrections Victoria staff.
From left to right: Harrison Brown, Employment Pathways team at the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Ben Perez, program participant, Abshir Abshir, Business Manager, WISE Employment and Diane Micallef, Senior Employment Partner, WISE Employment.