The journey from custody to community can be challenging, especially when the world you’re returning to – the only world you know – isn’t helpful in creating a new beginning. On top of that, the world you’re trying to walk toward, the ‘straight world’, leaves you feeling like you don’t fit in or belong. Talking about what can be done to fill the void are the important conversations we have with our participants, participants such as Brian.

Brian had experienced several sentences of incarceration. After 18 years inside, he knew that something had to change when he was released. Such as, starting again in a place that was far away from the people that he used to run with in Melbourne. Fortunately for Brian, his sister and her son were living in a regional town where he was able to move into public housing, after having been on the waiting list for years.

When Brian returned home, he had a ReConnect case manager who was there to support him to settle back in, and linked Brian in with the various professional supports he needed. Unfortunately, Brian breached his parole just days before completing it and was returned to custody for six months.

As Brian began to prepare for his release, he was ready to take his reintegration preparation to the next level, beyond the professional support he could access in the community. He and his case manager started planning.

On his release, Brian started visiting the local community centre each week. Here, take home meals that had been made in cooking classes were sold affordably. Each time Brian stopped by, he made an effort to start casual conversations with the people he met. In time, Brian became a regular visitor, finding it a safe community to spend time at. Soon, he developed genuine connections and came to know all the other regular visitors.

Brian became curious about his case manager’s dog, asking what type of breed it is, how much it cost to feed the dog, and what did it mean to the case manager to have a pet. Like many people who are interested in other people’s pets, Brian’s curiosity led him to having a dog of his own.

Having a dog helped boost Brian’s confidence, and his community grew when he joined a local dog walking group. No matter what the weather, Brian, and his faithful sidekick, meet up with the group twice a week.

Brian has now been living successfully in the community for 18 months. His ReConnect case manager has shared that he regularly receives snapshots from Brian of the walks he and his dog go on together.

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