OUR STORIES

We understand that sometimes people have to go through the worst to get to their best. We’re a community made up of success stories – men and women contributing to society and working together to help create a positive environment for people beyond prison. Our network of practical services and support enables freedom and inspires people to right their story. We share human stories to re-educate our justice system and prove that lives after prison matter and that 2nd chances benefit our society as a whole.

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My motivation is family, it’s always been that way. That has lead me to do things I regret, but now that I’m out, I’m trying hard to makeup for time lost and get my life back on track.

Tom*

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Janine’s story

Janine* was due for release in two months. She had been serving a five year sentence and was concerned she did not have enough identification.

On her release she would need to open a bank account and she did not have one hundred points of identification to do so. Her previous account had ran into debit due to bank fees and had been closed several years ago by the financial institution.

Janine’s services and programs officer at the correctional centre phoned the Association and faxed through a completed NSW Birth Certificate application form and a referral for assistance through the Association’s Identification Assistance Program. Two weeks later we were able to send Janine’s birth certificate to her at the Correctional Centre.

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I had an job opportunity in a warehouse but needed to obtain my forklift license and Work Cover certificate. PAANSW helped me with half the costs...

Andrew*

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robert’s story

Robert* was being held at the Metroplitan Remand and Reception Centre.

He saw our worker and explained that his property was still at the boarding house where he was living prior to arrest. He advised the property consisted of clothing and personal papers which he would need when he was released.

Robert completed an authority and the following week we attended the boarding house and were able to retrieve two bags of clothing, and a box of personal papers. These papers included his passport, drivers licence and resume.

The items were stored until Robert was released one year later. On release Robert contacted the Association and we arranged for his property to be delivered to his flat. He was thankful not to have lost his clothing and in particular his passport and drivers license as he needed these for identification and work purposes.