ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration

Australia is gripped by a reincarceration crisis with 70,000 people exiting prison each year and half returning within two years of release. Using a strengths-based, First Nations and industry led approach, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration aims to fundamentally transform how prisoner reintegration is envisaged, practiced and achieved at scale. Expected outcomes include a world-first national database of successful reintegration scenarios, new metrics for measuring success, tools for building social licence, training of a world-class generation of researchers, and enhanced levels of social inclusion. With Australia's annual correctional budget approaching $7B, the Centre should deliver a major return on investment via real improvements in post-prison pathways.

Funding: $35 million over 7 years

Centre Director: Prof Mark Halsey

Administering Organisation: Flinders University

Participating Organisations:

  • The University of Western Australia
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • Monash University
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
  • The University of Nottingham, UK
  • University of Oxford, UK
  • University of Liverpool
  • University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
  • DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
  • Corrective Services NSW
  • WA Department of Justice
  • VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
  • South Australia Department of Human Services
  • Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health Ltd.
  • Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Aboriginal Corporation
  • FOODBANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
  • NATIONAL INDIGENOUS NETWORK INITIATIVE LTD
  • OARS COMMUNITY TRANSITIONS
  • ABORIGINAL LEGAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
  • CENTACARE CATHOLIC COUNTRY SA LIMITED
  • CENTACARE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES
  • INTRACT AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
  • ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA LIMITED
  • VACRO
  • JESUIT SOCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
  • The Torch Project
  • COMMUNITY RESTORATIVE CENTRE LIMITED
  • DEADLY CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE SERVICES LIMITED
  • Waminda South Coast Women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation
  • Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited
  • MARLAMANU PTY LTD
  • Aboriginal Male's Healing Centre Strong Spirit Strong Families Strong Culture Incorporated
  • Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
  • Outcare
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
  • The Clink Charity
  • Mount Tamalpais College
  • The Fortune Society
  • Center for Justice Innovation
  • His Majestys Prison and Probation Service