Chapter 9. Pre-Release Prisoner initiative

9.1. Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §9.1

Under the Australian Government’s Pre-Release Prisoner initiative (the PRP initiative), Workforce Australia Services are available to people in custody to support them prior to release.

The PRP initiative provides wrap around support and assists people to build their vocational and non-vocational skills while in custody to decrease their likelihood of re-offending. These educational or employment activities may include work or training that leads or may lead to employment.

This Chapter explains the requirements for Providers when delivering this initiative.

9.2. EligibilityCopy citation · §9.2

To be eligible to Directly Register for Workforce Australia Services under the PRP initiative, people in custody must be:

• Within 12 months from their earliest possible release date,

• approved by corrective services or youth justice case managers,

• aged 15 years and over, and

• referred to a Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider by state or territory corrective or youth justice services.

People eligible for the PRP initiative are eligible Participants for Workforce Australia Services even while they are not on an Income Support Payment. People registered in PRP ‘remain in legal custody’ and do not qualify for any payment administered by Services Australia (see Social Security Act 1991, s 1158 23(5)).

9.3. Engage with corrective or youth justice servicesCopy citation · §9.3

Providers should establish links with corrective or youth justice services, so they are ready to receive referrals.

9.4. Referral and Registration of people in custodyCopy citation · §9.4

Referrals are made by corrective and youth justice services. Refer to Pre-Release Prisoner in the Direct Registration Chapter for information on referrals and Direct Registration.

Once a person is referred to a Provider for the PRP initiative, the Provider must Directly Register them if eligible. For more information refer to the Direct Registration Chapter.

9.4.1. Apply the Pre-Release Prisoner indicatorCopy citation · §9.4.1

• System step — Providers must apply the ‘Pre-Release Prisoner’ (PRP) special client type indicator to the Pre-Release Prisoner’s Record in the Department’s IT Systems when registering them.

9.4.2. If a Provider finds a person in custody is not eligibleCopy citation · §9.4.2

If a person is referred to a Provider and does not meet PRP initiative eligibility criteria, the Provider must not Directly Register them and should advise the relevant state or territory corrective or youth justice service accordingly.

9.5. ServicingCopy citation · §9.5

People in custody receive the same level of Services that are available to any other Workforce Australia Participant.

Providers must deliver high quality case management based on the person's circumstances and servicing needs. Servicing needs may include wrap around supports, such as training, education and other activities that may support a person to achieve employment. What supports are required are identified with the person and their corrective services or youth justice case manager. Supports and services provided must not duplicate services being accessed through corrective or youth justice managed or delivered services.

People in custody do not have Mutual Obligation Requirements.

9.5.1. Employment Services Assessment (ESAt)Copy citation · §9.5.1

If an ESAt is required, the Provider should notify the appropriate corrective or youth justice services case manager that the person in custody requires a referral. Such notifications should be done through a communications protocol agreed between the Provider and corrective or youth justice services. Corrective or youth justice services need to be involved in the process and approve the referral for an ESAt. Refer to Referring Participants for an Employment Services Assessment section for further information.

Medical evidence can be faxed to Service’s Australia National Business Gateway on 1300 786 102. Providers faxing medical evidence to the National Business Gateway must ensure that all documents:

• can be clearly read

• include the person's name, address (preferably post release) and Customer Reference Number (CRN), and

• are clearly identified as PRP medical evidence for an ESAt

Where fax is not available, or medical evidence needs to be provided quickly, the Provider can email medical records to the Services Australia Focus Response Team at FOCUS.RESPONSE.TEAM@servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Following completion of the ESAt by Services Australia, the Provider must destroy the person’s medical records. The person’s medical records are retained on the secure Services Australia IT system.

Refer to Medical Evidence needed for the ESAt referral section for details.

ESAts resulting in referral to a different Service

If the outcome of an ESAt recommends a different employment service, the Provider must not action the Referral.

The Provider should notify the Department of the recommendation. The Department will seek permission from the corrective or youth justice service for the recommended services and, if permission is granted, arrange for the person to be connected to the recommended services.

9.5.2. Using the Employment FundCopy citation · §9.5.2

Providers may use the Employment Fund to assist people in custody registered for the PRP initiative.

Providers use their discretion in accessing the Employment Fund on behalf of people they are servicing. For more information refer to Employment Fund Chapter.

9.6. Release from custodyCopy citation · §9.6

9.6.1. Income support assessmentCopy citation · §9.6.1

People in custody who are soon to be released, including those who have recently been released from custody are assessed by Services Australia to determine their Income Support Payment entitlements and employment services eligibility.

9.6.2. Ceasing to be eligible for the PRP initiativeCopy citation · §9.6.2

The Department removes the PRP special client type indicator after the person’s release, if they are in receipt of an allowance. Where possible, Providers are encouraged to remove the flag as soon as they become aware the person has been released from custody.

People who have been released from custody are no longer eligible for Services under the PRP initiative.

Former people in custody who were registered to the PRP initiative who seek income support after release will be referred to the appropriate employment service by Services Australia.