Social Housing in the Criminal Justice System

Data analysis from the Productivity Commission shows that the number of people being imprisoned and classified as non-violent offenders is increasing. This group is ‘cycling in and out’ of maximum security remand prisons at significant economic and social costs. This group repeatedly commits low level offences and struggles to engage with support services because of a lack of access to supported and affordable housing. 76% of ACSO clients being released from prison report that housing is their most critical need.

Access to social housing for people seeking bail or exiting prison has been, and continues to be, a significant problem. There are many barriers which are well documented such as unmet support for complex needs, poor rental and tenancy history and history of offending including family violence. 

In 2023, ACSO’s subsidiary McCormack Housing became a Victorian Registered Housing Provider. McCormack Housing has been established as a specialist justice social housing provider, with its primary aim to deliver social housing outcomes for people engaged in the justice system. Our program evidence demonstrates that providing integrated treatment and support for substance use and mental health combined with social housing and assertive outreach over a two-year period delivers successful outcomes. Successes achieved include reduction in offending and return to custody, as well as housing stability with successful tenancies and increased employment.

However, the problem is that ‘supportive housing’ programs that divert people away from prison are not funded or prioritised by Government or the philanthropic sectors. With investment and collaboration, ACSO can establish and scale up evidenced based supported housing programs that will reduce unnecessary incarceration and keep the community safe.

Preventing Family Violence – Supporting Young People in NSW

In 2022, ACSO received funding from the Federal Government for an innovative pilot program to prevent young people from engaging in family violence. The Boost Program was developed in partnership with NSW Police, NSW Youth Justice and University of Wollongong in response to a growing number of young people breaching Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO) in the Illawarra. It was a 6-month intensive, multi-modal intervention with a mentoring and coaching component occurring between the young person and the mentor. Boost supported young people between the ages of 14 to 17 who had breached or were at risk of breaching an AVO with high rates of violent behaviour occurring in the context of family violence. Since commencement in September 2022, 64 young people have engaged with a mentor and in group activity programs in the Illawarra region and the independent evaluation demonstrated early signs of positive outcomes with lower AVO breach rates and increased wellbeing and social outcome for participants and families. The initial pilot program funding ended in late 2023, however with such strong stakeholder support ACSO continues to work with the NSW government for ongoing funding.

Navigating Services for Complex Clients – ‘Better Connected Care’ in Victoria

In June 2023, ACSO was awarded the contract for Assertive Outreach Service (AOS) in the south-east metropolitan area of Melbourne. The AOS is a new initiative funded by the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) as part of the whole of government Better Connected Care reforms. The program is an intensive case management and outreach service that assists people with significant risk and complexity to navigate support services across health, justice, and social services. The program is a 12-month pilot being independently evaluated and showcases ACSO’s deep capability of operating at the intersections of justice, health, and social services. This is a critical innovative service that will reduce the service barriers for people with multiple complex needs and aims to positively engage people who are very high risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Vale Karen Pearce – “KP”

In late 2022, we lost a valued and loved member of the ACSO family. After a short illness, Karen Pearce passed away. KP joined ACSO in 2017 as the CEO’s Executive Assistant and very quickly became an amazing support and asset to the ACSO Board, Executive team, and a friend to many ACSO employees and their families. KP is remembered fondly for her attention to many ‘details’; her expert copy writing and review skills; team building and collaboration; and uncanny ability to know how to make people feel uniquely valued.  Our hearts go out to KP’s partner Vic, her daughters Kendra and Georgia and her broader family.

We extend our appreciation to the ACSO Board, executive team, employees, and stakeholders for their ongoing commitment to the organisation’s vision – a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and prison is truly the last resort. We also acknowledge the significant contribution of Board member Nerita Waight who retired in 2023 and welcome Sylvia Hadjiantoniou to the McCormack Housing Board.

We are very proud of the culture we have built at ACSO. Our annual employee engagement survey highlighted a participation of 93% with 77% positive engagement.  These results are not new and reflect similar feedback from the last six years.

On behalf of the ACSO Board, Executive Team, and our employees, we are proud to share our 2023 Annual Report with you.