What happens to people when they are released from prison?

Every year, over 6000 prisoners are released in Victoria, but what does this mean for individuals and the wider community? This video by Young Liberty for Law Reform’s criminal justice pod explores some of the many issues facing people leaving the prison system. Research by numerous organisations have identified the flaws with relying heavily on prisons to correct behavior, and the need for reform and changed attitudes to allow individuals to get back on their feet when they are released. Make sure to check out our factsheet and some of the links below.

Download YLLR after prison fact sheet

• Smart Justice, a coalition of organisations advocating for prison reform in Victoria write a blog and produce fact sheets: http://www.smartjustice.org.au
• A group of young men from the Youth Wing at Port Phillip Prison have produced a short video on their experiences available to watch for free online: http://storiesfromtheinside.com.au
• The Productivity Commission’s report on Government Services includes a section on Corrective Services: http://www.pc.gov.au/research/ongoing/report-on-government-services/2016/justice/corrective-services
• VACRO is an organisation supporting people leaving prison to get back on their feet: http://www.vacro.org.au/HOME.aspx
• Jesuit Social Services deliver several programs designed to help young people leaving the criminal justice system avoid reoffending: http://www.jss.org.au/programs/justice-and-crime-prevention
• Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) are a large non-government, not-for-profit organisation working to help people in difficult circumstances avoid offending: http://www.acso.org.au
• Justice Connect , a Victorian community legal centre, has been working on a project aimed at assisting prisoners break the cycle of debt so that they have a better chance of starting fresh once released: http://www.justiceconnect.org.au/our-programs/homeless-law/law-and-policy-reform/closing-revolving-door