From Corrections to Community: Supporting People Transitioning from Custody

Jacqui
Jun 11
5 min read

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Transitioning from custody to the community:

Transitioning from custody (corrections) to the community is difficult for many, but individuals with lived experience of disability or complex support needs face significantly greater risks. National inquiries, justice data, and disability sector evidence consistently highlight that this group is more vulnerable during release from corrections, due to fragmented service systems, delays in accessing support, and unmet needs. Without coordinated transition planning, they are at increased risk of reoffending, homelessness, hospitalisation, or harm, which can include:

Homelessness or unsafe housing
Mental health deterioration or hospitalisation
Reoffending due to lack of support
System disengagement due to service gaps

Proactive, person-centred, and well-coordinated transitions can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Here’s what you can do to support the process:

REFERRAL PRIORITIES

1. Start Early, Even in Custody

Identify key goals, risks, and needs with the individual – It's important to ensure that any plans are directed by the person at the centre.

Request care team meetings while the person is still incarcerated – This is helpful to support a smooth transition by ensuring everyone is prepared, coordinated and ready to respond from day one.

Link in with professionals/ services within the justice system – Justice specific services have specialist knowledge to support continuity of care, reducing risk and improving outcomes post-release.

Link in with a NDIS Justice Liaison Officer – They can support access and planning to NDIS services pre and post release. They can also assist with navigating complex systems (understanding which services are responsible whilst someone is incarcerated).

Involve informal supports (if consent is provided) - Informal supports can offer important insights into a person’s preferences, routines and history. They also play a key role in strengthening the individual’s support network which is important during any transition.

Facilitate supported decision making if required – This can support to uphold a person’s autonomy and human rights, even in a restrictive environment. It increases the likelihood of meaningful service engagement through facilitation of meaningful choices. Furthermore, it can support to reduce risk post-release by supporting informed decision-making.

2. Support Linkages BEFORE Release such as:

NDIS services (support work, allied health) - prior to release from custody supports to ensure continuity of care and support. Early involvement allows for thorough transition planning, timely access to necessary resources, and the development of tailored supports that address the individual’s complex needs. This proactive approach helps reduce the risk of crisis, supports community integration, and promotes positive long-term outcomes.
Health - to allow for appropriate medical oversight, support with medication and to address any further emerging medical concerns
Mental Health - early mental health involvement enables effective discharge planning, continuity of medication management, and timely referrals to community-based supports. This proactive approach helps reduce relapse or crisis risks, supports successful reintegration, and promotes stability and wellbeing in the community.
AOD Services - early involvement allows for the development of tailored treatment plans, connection to community-based support programs, and coordination with other health and social services. This proactive engagement reduces the risk of relapse, supports harm reduction, and contributes to safer and more stable transitions back into the community.
Justice services – Justice services have specialised knowledge to support individuals in meeting conditions of release or legal orders. They can also play a key role in reducing the risk of reoffending.

3. Secure Safe, Suitable Accommodation

Ensure that any proposed accommodation is subject to an Environmental Risk Assessment, and make necessary adjustments to support safety, accessibility, and individual needs. Engaging the person in identifying required modifications helps ensure the environment is tailored to their disability-related needs and promotes a sense of ownership and stability.
In situations where medium or long-term housing is not immediately available, it’s important to explore short-term or transitional housing options that allow for the embedding of supports (support work, therapeutic supports). These environments can act as a bridge between release and more permanent housing and promote continuity of support.

Common Oversights to Avoid

No ID documents or Medicare access arranged – When focussing on the bigger picture', we might overlook these essential documents which can place barriers for individuals to obtain meet their basic needs such as paying bills, obtaining food, seeing a GP or seeking employment. It’s important to plan for this early and seek support from justice/ prison services.
No functional assessment to justify NDIS supports – We know the importance of having a functional capacity assessment completed to outline á persons support needs and evidence this to the NDIA. The challenge is that FCA’s are difficult to complete in a custodial setting which is a unique and contained environment. It’s always a good idea to discuss this with the individual and their Occupational Therapist to plan for assessments prior to release.
No clear crisis / risk response plan – During transition planning, it’s important to complete a thorough assessment of risks including markers of crisis / decline so that the care team can be proactive in their response.
Team members might be unsure of who is responsible for what action – Without appropriate planning or coordination of services, care team members may be feeling lost or unsure about the path forward. In these cases, it’s recommended to use documentation to support planning. This might look like a transition plan or meeting minutes which clearly outlines the next steps and who is responsible for what action. Additionally, documents like a communication protocol can be helpful in outlining care team member roles and responsibilities, as well as clear communication/ information sharing pathways for various situations that may arise.

Practical Planning Checklist

✅ MyGov & Centrelink/Medicare

✅Discharge paperwork from custodial setting (including medication for 3-7 days)

✅ Bank card access or replacement

✅ Functional, behavioural, and environmental assessments

✅ Basic needs: clothing, food, toiletries, furniture, phone

✅Utilities: gas, electricity, water, internet

✅ Safety & communication protocols shared across the care team

✅ Rostered supports and transport on release day

✅ Family support or reunification considered

✅ Clear roles and communication lines post-release

Final Tip:

The best transitions are shared efforts. Referring early, looping in the right providers, and valuing the client’s voice ensures a safer and more stable reintegration.

If you or your team are supporting someone through complexity, including transitioning from corrections to community, and would like a specialist consultation or to learn more about our services, click here to submit an enquiry.

Resource Contributors:

Amie (Team Leader, Specialist Support Coordination)
Jacqui (Specialist Support Coordinator, Specialist Support Coordination)

Further information and reading:

Final Report - Volume 8, Criminal justice and people with disability
Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System - final report | vic.gov.au