Outside Job
Outside Job was a post-release employment program developed within Corrections Victoria, launched in 2022. Finding and retaining employment is a key challenge for people who have been in prison and remains one of the key factors in determining success, measured by the person not returning to jail, otherwise known as recidivism. Studies have shown the direct connection to disadvantage with those from disadvantaged areas in Victoria nearly three times more likely to have high levels of prison admissions or families with jobless parents.
Outside Job was a multi-year program designed to provide a more direct linkage to post-release employment opportunities for those in Victorian prisons. Prison Industries is the key employer and vocational training provider in prisons and the initial phase was to embed a self-sustaining, social enterprise model to fund improvements to the quality and alignment of the work undertaken to key outside employment markets. This resulted in investments in technology and commencement of activities such as warehousing pick & pack, bakery, meat processing, retail and agriculture. Initiatives such as Lean Manufacturing were also introduced to prisoners to improve skills and employability. These investments were funded by business activity, not by taxpayers.
In 2019, two key Procurement activities were selected to undertake a trial to leverage these capabilities via the Victorian Social Procurement Framework in an innovative way. The Shared Value concept was used to underpin an approach that sought long-term partnerships with commercial employers to provide job opportunities in Food processing, warehousing, cleaning and facility management and other sectors. To overcome long entrenched barriers and stigmas, the focus was on building the employer’s understanding of the skills and training available amongst people exiting prison, and the power a job in helping these people get a second chance. Tenderers were encouraged to commit to hiring which resulted in commitments to hire 225+ people within the first two years of the program, many times greater than any previous results using traditional government Procurement approaches. The largest job commitments came from 3rd party companies, not directly involved in tendering, such was the enthusiasm to be involved.
The Shared Value opportunities of reducing employment costs, potential for greater employee retention and a key contribution to the company’s social strategies were all endorsed by these partners and the partnerships have continued to build and thrive. This approach has now been embedded more broadly into all VicGov Justice Procurement activities.
The innovation and power of Outside Job was acknowledged by the granting of a range of awards including the Shared Value Project 2022/23 ‘Impact Partner of the Year’. The designer and driver of the program, Tony Layh, was also personally awarded a 2023 Australia Day ‘Public Service Medal’ and the Shared Value Project 2022/23 ‘Practitioner of the Year’ awards.