Success Works
Success Works believes a criminal record should never be viewed as an automatic disqualification for employment. Their new Beyond Barriers program is dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable women with criminal records in securing meaningful employment, focusing particularly on those who face long-term unemployment after incarceration.
Beyond Barriers works with single mothers, survivors of violence, and women contending with the stigma of a criminal record. The program offers essential tools and practical support for a new start. For more information about the impactful work of Success Works and the Beyond Barriers program, visit their website.
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Why employment support matters for women leaving prison
When Brittany joined the Success Works program, she was determined to start again. She had been released from custody and wanted to rebuild her life, but had no work history, confidence or a clear path into employment. The stigma of a criminal record made the search even harder.
Through the Breaking Barriers program, Brittany attended job readiness workshops and was matched with a volunteer mentor. That relationship became pivotal. Her mentor offered practical support and steady encouragement, helping her prepare for interviews, revise her resume and stay motivated during the job search.
From the outset, what stood out was Brittany’s quiet determination. She showed up to every session and fully engaged in the program, even when progress felt slow. Her willingness to do the work laid the foundation for what came next.
Eight weeks after joining the mentor program, Brittany secured a part time administration role with an employer from the Success Works network. The workplace was welcoming and committed to second chances, giving her the stability she needed to begin rebuilding her confidence.
Since then, Brittany has continued to grow. She has received positive feedback from her manager, taken on additional responsibilities and begun exploring part-time study to further her career. She remains in regular contact with her mentor, who continues to be an important support.
This stability has had wider effects. With secure work and renewed confidence, Brittany has begun the process of regaining access to her child, a step she describes as life changing and something she could not have imagined before entering the program.
Brittany’s journey reflects the program’s core insight: with support, meaningful employment and a workplace willing to give women a chance, long-term change becomes possible.
Name changed to protect privacy.
A criminal record locks many women out of employment, reinforcing poverty and the risk of returning to custody. Success Works’ Breaking Barriers program provides a structured pathway back into work through job readiness training, mentoring and tailored support. The organisation also partners with employers willing to hire women with lived experience of the criminal legal system, helping create the conditions for stable employment. By combining practical preparation with a committed employer network, Success Works is restoring women’s financial independence and supporting families to stabilise for the long term.