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 incarceration.
Our network of practical services and support enables freedom and inspires people to rewrite their story. We share human stories to re-educate our justice system and prove that lives after incarceration matter and that second chances benefit our society as a whole.
“My motivation is family, it’s always been that way. That has led me to do things I regret, but now that I’m out. I’m trying hard to make up for time lost and get my life back on track.”
*Tom
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 birth certificate application form and a referral for assistance through the Association, Identification Assistance Program. Two weeks later we were able to send Janine’s birth certificate to her at the Correctional Centre.
“I had a job opportunity in a warehouse but needed to obtain my forklift licence and Work Cover certificate. PAANSW helped me with half the costs…”
– Andrew*
Robert’s Story
Robert* was being held at the Metropolitan 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 licence as he needed these for identification and work purposes.
