From the big house to their own place

5 August 2025

Stepping outside the front gates of a correctional centre at the end of a sentence or as a parolee can be cause for celebration but also incredibly daunting. Often one of the first concerns is finding a place to call home. A rise in homelessness rates and a shortfall in social housing does not inspire much confidence, but a pilot program in place with Homes NSW and CSNSW is helping inmates find their way through the housing crisis prior to their release.

A place to start

The numbers are quite alarming, around one in five people indicate they will need some type of housing assistance on exiting custody. Adding to this the expected five-year year waitlist for social or public housing and the ongoing rental crisis make it incredibly challenging for ex-inmates to secure a place to live and rebuild their lives.

A collaboration with Homes NSW, an in-reach pilot program at Dillwynia Correctional Centre, is delivering face-to-face housing services to inmates. Homes NSW staff visit the centre and meet with inmates to help them understand what help is available and provide the services and information needed. Priority is given to those within three months of release and existing Homes NSW clients.
 

The key to your own door

“This innovative new program is not only relieving the pressure on inmates nearing their release date and worried about where they will go, but also on CSNSW staff who may not be familiar with the full range of Homes NSW products and services,” explains Manager Strategic Partnerships, Nelson Tilbrook.

“By removing the need to focus on housing issues our Services and Programs Officers (SAPOs)can prioritise other areas, while the presence of Homes NSW staff means inmates receive direct support and information from those who can provide practical help in this area.”

The program will also run at Cessnock Correctional Centre, with Homes NSW staff attending the centre in response to demand.

Breaking barriers

“Delivering this service to inmates who do not have ready access to technology, including making or receiving phone calls, and those unfamiliar with the range of housing products, helps to normalise the correctional environment,” says Assistant Commissioner Strategy & Policy, Jennifer Galouzis.

“Removing barriers to enable inmates to participate in decision-making about their future and addressing the priorities of those nearing their release date is a big focus. We anticipate the success of this pilot will lead to the program being rolled out in more centres across the state.”