The reality former criminals face when released from prison | Four Corners

Australia has one of the highest reoffending rates in the world.
Every year, 19,000 people leave prison in New South Wales, but less than three per cent of them get a bed in a supported accommodation program.
Reporter Linton Besser meets the lucky few who’ve been given a place at Sydney’s Rainbow Lodge - one of the longest continually running halfway houses in the world.
These men have committed multiple crimes and been in and out of prison for decades. Most have been cast out from their families in the process.
For many, the lodge’s three-month program is their last chance to take responsibility for their actions and prove they’re ready for the outside world - but one slip-up could land them back inside.
00:00 - First day out of prison
02-31 - Rainbow Lodge, the halfway house
06:58 - Spending my inheritance on drugs
09:40 - Aggravated break-and-enter
11:00 - My first job in 15 years
14:15 - Getting caught
20:38 - Testing positive for drug use
23:30 - Second chance
29:25 - CCTV footage
36:10 - The apology
38:28 - A different court system
41:20 - Hope for the future
This episode was originally broadcast as ‘Breaking Free’ on 3 June 2024 on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Read more about Four Corners’ investigation here: bit.ly/3yRIBDE
Four Corners is Australia’s premier investigations documentary series.
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[@krissybutler1357]

This has to be the best self help rehilbation care centre I ever seen...there should be more of these available to people whom want change 💯💯

[@insidiousmagic4546]

I work in a shelter in with similar rules and outcomes to this one. I just want to applaud Claude on the way that he handles alot of situations with accountability but also compassion. Well done Claude you know how to talk to people mate 👍

[@randomnessoflife3628]

It saddens me that these men are just expected to change their habits, seemingly without any ongoing care. Especially around substance use. If a program was in place, It would of been good to say so, because as it stands. It appears they are just expected to all of a sudden overcome addiction and manage any underlying issues themselves. That's like expecting me to simply stop having my morning coffee. Like Noooooooooo F... Way... It cant be easy and I feel deeply for them all. If only there were more places like this..

[@user-dj4dl9pi7m]

they are not interested in solving the issues , think what it costs in police,courts,prison,etc etc

[@citizensamurai]

I agree with your sympathetic take - I can't change simple (legal) habits in my life, and I can't relate to what anyone has been through in terms of what this documentary portrayed. I don't know anything about incarceration / prison / etc., but I feel that, as an outsider, I can say those systems (on their own) don't deliver what they are supposed to - more warehouse than care. We can all point to certain cases where punishment is the only thing someone deserves (true evil). But then there's the population of people (our brothers and sisters or neighbors) whose behaviors weren't some grand scheme of profit or grift - they were simply people in pain who had a ton of bricks stacked against them from the start. There hasn't been as much thought put into helpful, compassionate rehabilitation, compared to what has been invested in industrialized punishment. I believe that's because there's not much money to be made in redemption. Institutional punishment is a gold mine in the States.

[@felixjones9198]

Unfortunately, there's no votes in helping people like this, the prevailing attitude amongst politicians (and sadly a large percentage of the population) is that people end up in situations like this because of character faults, not because of abuse, poverty and trauma. And with entrenched attitudes like these, it's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to effect any meaningful change.

[@coastsouljah]

Bring them out to the country. We got plenty of farm work..not enough people. Its a good life. These people would thrive out here.

[@AnneAlready]

Not excusing criminal activity but you can bet these men have wounds from childhood experiences. It's a shame there's not resources to give these guys a decent rehabilitation. It's clear so many of them have so much to offer.

[@Unyamurdle]

I don’t know where he got those dresses from but YES charity shops do keep tags on. I’ve bought dresses for $10 bucks that are worth $300 brand new with tags. I understand why they are suspicious but they are wrong that you can find some really expensive stuff for cheap at charity shops.

[@debk3901]

Charity shops do leave the original tags on ! They leave the tags on because the designer brands that are donated that have not been worn can be sold for a higher price.

[@sheribrougham4863]

This is why intervention with kids from unstable homes is so important. This is an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. You need to have a solid base for children from 0 to 4. If this doesnt happen then the chance of these kids ending up prison is extremely high.

[@lindamain6355]

yes , op shops do sometimes have new tags on them.

[@rachelmcghee271]

This is incredible. Places like this need more funding, not prisons. Claude is an amazing man.

[@rosscoplaybass490]

Claude is a good man , he’s definitely a real one 💯🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@curiouscath7629]

I wish you all the best no matter what ✌️

[@debrafleur5404]

Traumatised people find it hard to keep sober my heart reaches out to them all 😔🙏🏻🌸❤️

[@farhanatoerien3437]

It’s so sad. Rainbow is trying to help, but what happens to these ppl after the 3 months? Where do they go?

[@soupergirl1728]

I have seen plenty of expensive designer clothes in Salvos, Vinnies etc stores and they do often still have the tags on them with the original price.

[@ricktandron3669]

I never committed a crime, but I wish I had a nice place to live like this. But for non-convicts, there are no resources. The only half-way houses are for criminals. Not fair.

[@Truthseeker371]

Isn't there any way to have detoxing and rehab facility in the prisons? The halfway house should be also located near the prison. Vocational training must be offered. Tax must be spent on this area more than the politicians salaries.

[@avenaitcho]

Thats so good to hear...but the stats are also so depressing

[@jessjess3838]

The way Claude loves these men is beautiful.

[@annetteglover5036]

I'm in so many different frames of mind after watching this. People who end up in prison have cost someone along the way. Whilst in prison, they cost taxpayers. After leaving, once again, it's taxpayers who fit the bill but everyone deserves a chance to make good on themselves. Not everyone has the same upbringing and chances at life. What I do know, there should be more support once released that way these older dudes can perhaps offer support to the ever growing youth crimes we experience in every state of Australia

[@angusseletto1511]

Brilliant honesty ❤ frightening reality!!! Thats it !!!

[@cretecarlson8033]

Also love what these ppl do for former inmates. Takes a special person to go through everything with them and put up with everything they do. Bless them

[@sonofagreatsouthernland]

It takes ppl that've been through the worst to be able to assist others in the same predictament. Problem is changing the thinking and behaviour of offenders can be an uphill battle. Once you choose to offend you have no input in how you are punished but through the legal process, and thinking otherwise there's no learning from wrong. Well done to Claude and the team at Rainbow Lodge for their efforts!!

[@ACTIONDANhero]

Sad n scary for them

[@angusseletto1511]

Throwing a man into the abyss is the title i see....Absolutely no disrespect,so shockingly sad....judge a country by how it looks after its weakest.....Australia fails Absolutely......thank god for these real stories ❤

[@Littlemouse884]

That pizza looks good

[@cracka-tinnitribe9543]

Choices decisions & consequences,

[@ottowa58]

Finding employment is very difficult for many

[@jimbean-vw1zh]

why is there no funding for rehabilitation it just doesn't make any sense

[@mynameskilla]

keep fighting the good fight brothers

[@emilythornton8403]

What a great program

[@TonyLing]

Bonza, great work

[@teeslunk]

Straight for McDonald’s 😂😂.

[@Orthofrog99]

Very much we need to look at how Norway does things, very rehab focused.

[@nuaapeerlink6746]

The power of peer based services. Well done Rainboe Lodge. These services should be properly funded and you would see recidivism rates plummet. Proper transitional services are just essential.

[@OGMillwood]

Top shelf. Four Corners continues to be the high bench mark of journalism in Aus.

[@cretecarlson8033]

My wife has donated tons of stuff that still had tags on em just saying. I’m sure they wouldn’t sell em for $15 tho

[@weekendhacker]

It's tough out there to get a job and a place to live even if you have a clean record and are employable. These guys would be up against it for sure. No wonder reoffending is so common.

[@justinfahey5486]

Might be a late to the party, but if I can help out just a bit I would really like too. Sydney based. Thanks.

[@bethanyhunt2704]

Amazing how our society will shoot itself in the foot by paying billions for prisons, rather than be compassionate and generous and help people before and after prison time.

[@JHam2023]

I can’t believe we spend millions in jail systems, but only 2% of that goes to places like Rainbow. Just doesn’t make sense. There needs to be more effort in helping than incarcerating. Kudos the Claude and his team!

[@lloyd9710]

Don’t want to sound horrible here don’t of the crime

[@debrafleur5404]

I’ve seen heaps of clothes in op shops that still have the original tags that woman should not assume such things

[@Jenifer_G]

This is something that really needs attention. Get help to these ex prisoners, housing and support or they do reoffend.

[@donhooper6570]

To the fella with the ladies clothes. I'm on your size bud I shop at op shops and have found plenty of brand new stuff with original price tags on them with the op shop price tags.

[@AusOpenBodybuilding]

Who's wearing socks & thongs whilst watching this 🙋‍♂️

[@RoyBennett-dz2cq]

If only the government would listen...and for god sake stop privaticing the prison service