Resources for community &
government service providers

Ex-prisoners are more likely to stay out of prison if they:
p are living with parents, partner or close family post release;
phave employment or were studying; or
phave contact with and support from helpful agencies post-release.

Ex-prisoners are more likely to return to prison if they:
pare homeless or transient;
pdo not have accommodation support
phave an increase in the severity of alcohol and other drug problems;
pare Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander;
pare female
phave debt or debts.

The strongest likelihood of ex-prisoners being re-incarcerated occurs if they move house often (more than twice in a three-month period) in the immediate post-release period and/or experience worsening problems with heroin use.

The following services can assist with helping ex-prisoners deal with their issues and help them settle into their accommodation.

Services working with people who’ve been in prison

Community Restorative Centre (CRC)
Information, advice and support for prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families.
Ph: (02) 9288 8700 www.crcnsw.org.au
Prisoners’ Aid
Can help with advice and financial assistance and to re-establish ID.
Ph: (02) 9281 7582

For help on the phone, and referrals to face-to-face services

ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information Service)
Advice, information and referrals about alcohol and other drugs.
Ph: (02) 9361 8000 (metro) 1800 422 599 (rural)
Credit and Debt Hotline
Financial counselling and referral for debt issues. For more information about finances
Ph: 1800 808 488
G-Line
Confidential help with problem gambling.
Ph: 1800 633 635 TTY: 1800 633 649
Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service
Counselling for gay, lesbian, transgender and intersex people.
Ph: (02) 8594 9596 1800 184 327
The Gender Centre
Counselling for people with gender issues.
Ph: (02) 9569 2366
Grief Support
24-hour grief counselling.
Ph: (02) 9489 6644
Lifeline
Free and confidential telephone counselling, 24 hours.
Ph: 131 114
Mensline
Family counselling, information and referral for men.
Ph: 1300 789 978
Mental Health Information and Referral Service
Advice, information and referrals about mental health issues.
Ph: 1300 794 991
Rape Crisis Centre
Counselling and support for people affected by sexual assault.
Ph: (02) 9819 6565 or 1800 424 017
Salvo Care Line
Free 24-hour counselling and referral.
Ph: 1300 36 36 22
Violence Against Women Helpline
Assistance and referral for people affected by domestic violence.
Ph: 1800 200 526
Women’s Information and Referral Service
For counselling services for women.
Ph: 1800 817 227

Counselling and support services

NSW Family Services
Family Services provide assistance to families with children.
Ph: (02) 9692 9999
Relationships Australia
Provides relationship counselling to couples, individuals and families.
Ph: 1300 364 277

Legal services

NSW LawAccess
Free legal advice 1300 888 529 (1300 888 LAW)
or www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au
Community Legal Centres
Local legal aid
(02) 9212 7333
www.nswclc.org.au
Aboriginal Legal Services
Information on local offices
Ph: (02) 8842 8000

For any other services, or information and advice on working with
ex-prisoners contact the Community Restorative Centre
(02) 9288 8700 www.crcnsw.org.au