Breaking the cycle: How support after incarceration changes lives 

Rebuilding life after incarceration is tough. For many women, especially those who are pregnant or caring for children, finding stable housing, securing a job, and reconnecting with family can feel out of reach. Without a strong support system, the risk of reoffending remains high—not because of a lack of determination, but because the barriers to a fresh start are so steep. 

Sylvia’s journey through WAGEC’s From Now program is proof that targeted support can change lives. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and the impact of well-designed programs that help women move forward—for themselves and their children and communities. 

Starting over 

Sylvia arrived at WAGEC’s From Now program directly from a three-month live-in drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. She had successfully completed rehab and was referred to From Now for support and accommodation. An Aboriginal woman, Sylvia was five months pregnant at the time of her entry. Before rehab, Sylvia had spent several months in custody and was homeless, couch surfing prior to that.  

Reconnecting with family  

During her time in the program, Sylvia expressed a deep desire to focus on her baby’s birth and health, stay out of custody, and reconnect with her family and culture. As part of connecting with Family, Sylvia would spend weekends traveling up to six hours in a day on public transport to visit her family, returning each night to the From Now accommodation.  

The WAGEC team could clearly see that Sylvia was doing her best to engage in the program and its guidelines, as well as building a connection with her family and country. From Now supported Sylvia by enabling overnight sleepovers with family to support her goal of building family connection.  

Preparing for motherhood 

Sylvia was extremely protective of her unborn child and always embraced the program’s expectations and guidelines. After four months in the program, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The From Now team could clearly see her nurturing and protective nature as a mother.  

Sylvia continued to reconnect with her parents, and would regularly update staff about the improvement made between her and her mother and family overall. Sylvia said that she was super grateful and that this was the first time since being a child that she had a positive and normal relationship with her family.  

Facing the courtroom, with support  

A few weeks after the birth of her son, Sylvia faced her sentencing court date – a moment she had anxiously awaited for over a year and a half. She was deeply worried about a custodial outcome that would separate her from her child.  

From Now staff supported Sylvia throughout this period, liaising with her legal team and providing documentation to highlight her progress. At court, Sylvia was supported by her biological parents, maternal and paternal grandmothers, her legal team, and From Now staff.  

The judge acknowledged Sylvia’s difficult circumstances, including the hardships she had faced since childhood. He recognised how vulnerabilities stemming from her need for attachment and care had contributed to challenging situations, and, at times, led to her involvement in criminal activity. The judge apologised to Sylvia on behalf of those who had mistreated her in the past and issued an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO), lifting all area restrictions.  

A fresh start by the sea  

After court, a relative offered Sylvia independent accommodation. The home, close to family and near the beach – where she described as being one of her favourite places to be – provided an affordable and stable foundation for her and her son.  

Paying it forward   

Since then, Sylvia has spent a few more weeks in the From Now program and has been motivated and excited to start her new chapter with her son. During a house lunch, as residents shared their reflections and goals, Sylvia announced that her legal team had approached her with an opportunity to mentor women who have faced injustice and are navigating legal challenges. She eagerly accepted and began training for the role, excited about the chance to support others while continuing to build a stable future for herself and her child. 

Sylvia remains connected to the From Now program on an outreach basis and shares that she and her child are thriving. 

We are proud to partner with WAGEC’s From Now program which supports mothers and pregnant women who are leaving prison. Many women leaving prison face the stigma of a criminal history, and struggle to find safe accommodation or employment. From Now helps forge pathways to economic advancement, reconnecting women with their children and communities, with the aim of preventing future incarceration and ensuring better outcomes for their children. Learn more about FROM NOW: https://www.wagec.org.au/from-now/