A criminal record doesn't erase work ethic. It erases opportunity.
As we head into 2026, the following is a conversation we'd like QLD employers and communities to be a part of.
When I left prison in 2023, I genuinely thought I'd be okay. I had previously run a business. I had a solid work history. I wasn't walking out with nothing to offer. I honestly believed that if I showed up, explained myself, and worked hard, someone would give me a crack.
My wife used her long service and took a couple of months off when I came home. There was no pressure for me to work, or to do anything really. But I was struggling. You count down the years, months, days to when you walk out those gates - only to feel completely lost as soon as you take your first step.
Anyway, looonnng story short - after she returned to work, I felt like a bit of a burden at home. So I set out to find myself a job. Any job. Can't be that hard. I don't know the exact number but I would have applied for hundreds. I'd sit on the computer all day and just apply for anything, I would have done anything - I was just craving for some kind of purpose.
I sat countless interviews, and they would go well - until we get to the part where I needed to mention that I'd have to take a little bit of time off each week to sign into parole. All of them said it shouldn't be an issue, all of them never called me back.
When someone leaves jail, a big predictor of whether they move forward or fall back isn't motivation or intention. It's OPPORTUNITY. In Queensland, just over half of people released from prison return to custody within two years. That stat alone tells us something very important: the things they've set in place after release isn't working well enough.
What IS consistently supported by evidence, both in QLD and nationally, is that stable employment is one of the strongest protective factors against re-offending. Work provides structure, routine, income, accountability, and dignity. It gives people a reason to get up, a place to be, and something to protect. Without it, instability creeps in fast.
I survived that instability because I had my partner to fall back on. Most people leaving prison won't have that kind of support.
They walk out into a world where the cost of living is higher than it's ever been. Centrelink barely keeps people afloat, and after you've paid your rent, you've barely got anything left to get by. And yes, everyone is doing it tough right now. That's the point. If it's hard for people with jobs, support networks and clean records, imagine how hard it is for someone with no income, limited support and a record to just 'do the right thing'.
Surely that expectation is unrealistic.
I am not excusing reoffending, but I understand it. While I was inside, I would see so many of the same faces come in and out the revolving door. I'd think to myself, with is wrong with these guys - they get so many chances! It wasn't until I got out myself until I really understood how quickly options disappear.
And just to be clear, this conversation is about those leaving prison who are trying to rebuild their lives, reconnect with families, and stay out. The people who want to work, want stability and want a way forward.
When people can't feed themselves, can't house themselves, and can't see any way forward, DESPERATION fills the gap where OPPORTUNITY should be. A lot of the time, these are people who are down to their last options.
Employment can help change that. And the impact goes far beyond just the individual.
For families, employment reduces stress and uncertainty. It helps build trust. It allows parents to show up consistently and be a role model for their children. This stability matters, especially for kids who've already experienced disruption.
For communities, employment means safer neighbourhoods, stronger local economies, and fewer people cycling through systems which are already so stretched. When people feel valued and included, they invest back into the places they live.
Right now, our main focus is building real, practical pathways into employment for people leaving prison. Real jobs with real expectations and real support for both the individual and the employer. I've SEEN what an opportunity has done for those who have been stuck in the cycle. I've SEEN what happens when someone is trusted instead of written off.
Confidence grows. Reliability improves. Families stabilise Employers gain loyal, committed workers who don't take opportunity for granted.
We are gearing up for a strong start to 2026, and are looking to connect with employers who are open to being part of this work. If you're an employer who believes strong communities are built by giving people a fair chance, we'd love to hear from you.
If you believe in this approach, please share this with business owners, employers, or organisations who may be able to help.
Also, if you, or if you know someone who could benefit from employment support, get in touch as well. Survival shouldn't depend on luck, and opportunity should be accessible. Together, we can do better than the system alone!!