A 2nd Chance Alliance

Over 1000 men and women in Victoria leave prison every month. Living arrangements, mental health and employment are the three key areas where support is needed to reduce recidivism and get damaged lives (and damaged people) back on track. With the support of a variety of Government funded organisations, NFP’s and employers willing to employ, there are becoming more meaningful and effective pathways and a changing attitude towards this once avoided demographic. In North Carolina there is a Second Chance Alliance, specificalluy set up to help provide support for ex-offenders in entering the workforce and rewarding businesses who are prepared to employ. The NOD helps show employers all of the advantages that can be gained in the same manner. 

Employers who sign up to The NOD are not saying they will necessarily just take anyone out of jail. Similar to all considerations an employer will consider a number of factors. All we are asking is to be prepared to give them “the nod” and not to automatically disqualify them based on their prior offending in isolation. Employers who are open minded and consider changes are displaying a high level of social conscience and looking at the whole person. People change and often an offence which occurred some time ago was due to some life circumstances which are very different to today. All we ask is that it's not an automatic "No" and be prepared to tap into this often loyal and hard working candidate pool.

“if you’ve done the crime you do the time” has long been held as the saying of our time. Whilst jail alone doesn’t always reform, a large number of people do reform due in part to their time in prison. Often it may be a combination of factors which changes a person by being in jail. These may include, but limited to, being clean and sober for a length of time, connecting to a religious affiliated group, attending AA or NA meetings, becoming inspired by a case worker, or counsellor (or some form of prison-reform program), or often just being the wake up call we needed.  Whatever the case, their a huge number of people who don’t reoffend and end up living honest and worthwhile lives post custody.

WISE-UP is a tailor-made post custodial / pre-employment program run through WISE Employment. It is catered towards “ex-offenders” and along with volunteering and a range of other tools provided to re-connect, it provides the participants with a sense of purpose, mental health support and the right mindset to re-enter the workforce. Just like a reference check, or a referee, WISE-UP can provide employers with validation of a participants behaviour, competency and relevant suitability. 

Say NO to Automatic disqualification and become part of The NOD alliance, because everyone deserves a second chance and a diverse workforce is a healthy workforce. The NOD is  a statewide alliance of people with criminal records, their family members, service providers, congregations, community leaders and concerned citizens that have come together to address the causes of criminal records and the barriers they create to successfu workforce reentry.