Outcomes of a community sector model of reintegration for people with complex needs: a mixed-methods study

Re-incarceration rates for people leaving prison in Australia are high, particularly so for those experiencing complex needs including mental health and substance use issues, cognitive disability and homelessness. Effective models of reintegration for this group are needed to reduce incarceration and improve health and wellbeing. This article reports on the outcomes of a mixed-methods evaluation of the Community Restorative Centre’s (CRC) model of intensive casework support for people with complex needs exiting prison in New South Wales, Australia. The evaluation took a mixed-methods approach to assessing the effectiveness of CRC’s model of reintegration support which included five studies: (1) an interrupted time series analysis of 483 clients over an 11-year period to examine changes in custody and court outcomes following engagement with CRC; (2) a comparative interrupted time series analysis of 246 CRC clients vs. a de-identified comparison group of 567 individuals that did not receive CRC support; (3) a cost-benefit analysis of criminal justice vs. CRC program costs; (4) analysis of client health and well-being survey data; and (5) semi-structured interviews with 26 individuals including CRC clients (n = 14) and CRC staff (n = 12). After participating in CRC programs, contact with the criminal justice system reduced significantly, including a 66% reduction in days in custody, a 63% reduction in new custody episodes, and a 62% reduction in proven offences. The comparative analysis estimated savings of $10–16 million in criminal justice costs for each annual cohort of new clients. Well-being survey data analysis indicated that clients were consistently managing drug use, self-care, relationships and resources over the time of engagement with CRC. Qualitative interviews highlighted that meeting people’s basic welfare, housing and health needs was fundamental, as was the model of support (flexible, outreach, relational and long-term) and the workers’ approach (respectful, non-judgemental, compassionate, consistent). An intensive, flexible, outreach model of community sector reintegration support that meets the basic welfare, housing and health needs of people with complex needs exiting prison can significantly reduce their contact with the criminal justice system and produce economic benefits for government.