An Australia-first speech pathology course in southern Tasmania, designed to teach prisoners language and literacy skills, has helped people find employment, reconnect with family and reduce their chances of reoffending.
Speech pathologist Rosalie Martin designed the program to help people leaving prison transition more easily back into society.
Ms Martin said an inability to effectively communicate and express feelings contributed to bad behaviour and poor decision-making, leading to more serious outcomes like prison.
"We've been saying it this way: if people don't speak out, they act out. For some, that acting out tips over into crime," she said.
Although the program, mostly operating in Risdon prison, is primarily geared at teaching people to communicate effectively, Ms Martin said the impact it had on people went beyond learning basic life skills.
A current inmate told Ms Martin it was the first time she felt hope that she could stay out of the prison system.
"She said, 'I've never had anybody — when I was released before — who has been my person; my special person who's going to keep working with me', and so she's already anticipating that she's got someone in her corner.
"If people are leaving prison with lower language and literacy skills … then it's very likely they'll find themselves back in the same kind of tangles of associations and situations."
Ms Martin said the program, which assesses each individual's skill set and then tailors the program to their specific needs, is not just a box-ticking exercise.
"It's the first of its kind in the world, we think, using speech pathologists to bring a focus on language, literacy and connection," she said.
"We want — while people are in prison and in the time they get out and reintegrate into the community — to support them."
If the program is successful, it will be rolled out state wide.
'I've had a good team stick beside me'
Ms Martin said she was inspired to design the course after working with ex-offender Matthew Mansfield, who had previously served time at Risdon Prison.
"I didn't have a really good time at school," he said.
"I just couldn't concentrate on [work] if it was literacy or English or anything like that. I only enjoyed maths and playing up."
After he was kicked out of school halfway through year 12 and not allowed to go back, Mr Mansfield said he quickly fell in with the wrong people, which eventually saw him serve time behind bars.
It was by chance that Mr Mansfield was introduced to speech therapy, and after six years of hard work he has not looked back.
"I've always kept in contact with Rosie because positive people in this world are so hard to find," he said.
"I've had a good team stick beside me and turn my life around."
He said he aimed to be a role model for his children.
"My concentration is on my three children's education at the moment. I'll find work in the future, [but right now] I want to help people change their life around [and] help the generation turn from negative to positive."
Although he acknowledged his own willpower and determination to change his life, Mr Mansfield credited his team of supporters and a chance at education as contributors to his success.
"I've had a lot of judgemental people in higher departments tell me but I didn't focus on that," he said.
"I didn't let it crush my self-esteem, I just keep going forward."
