*This client’s name has been changed at their request

Diagnosed with alcohol-induced schizophrenia in 1992, John* has faced mental health difficulties for the majority of his life. After being incarcerated in 2008, he spent the next 15 years of his life behind bars. In the lead-up to his release last year, John was connected with RFQ’s Transition from Corrections program to prepare for life in the community.

“Jail has its own timetable, and it’s up to the individual to adapt and fit in. Everything is structured within the jail day – from the 7am wakeup call, four daily musters, lockdowns, movements to work, library, gym, medical appointments, mental health meetings and outside visitors.”

“After 15 years in that environment, it was hard to imagine how I would adjust back to life on the outside. You get so used to people blowing up over the smallest things – ‘who ate my meal?’, ‘who drank my milk?’ and the retaliation can be brutal. It’s a tense environment. I had to practice detachment so that I didn’t take on so many people’s stories and drama, and neglect my own sanity.”

Six months prior to his release, John started working with his RFQ support worker, Adam. In addition to addressing his mental health challenges, the pair talked about the social disadvantage John would face and started working on management strategies.

“I found Adam to be calm and respectful from the very beginning, but it took me a little while to comprehend the importance of the documents we were working through – the personal recovery plan, the wellbeing wheel and so on. Then the answers came to me – this is my program for recovery.”

“Before I met Adam, I hoped someone would be out there to help when I was released, but I wasn’t sure what the future held. After working with Adam, I felt a sense of being prepared for what was coming. I feel that the RFQ program has given me the biggest edge to success in daily life.”

In addition to his skill-building and preparation activities with RFQ, John worked in the prison kitchen to develop transferrable skills while cultivating a stronger sense of self.

“When you’re not working, you’re left with very little stimulus. Working in the kitchen was the closest thing I could find to normality, providing me with job satisfaction and a feeling of self-worth. As the diet cook, I enjoyed the challenge of providing meals for people with dietary requirements.”

Having now been out of prison for six months, John is adjusting well to life in the community.

“I’ve been sharing a house with friends and while there haven’t been any dramas, my goal is to become more independent. Currently I’m looking for a caravan to have more space for myself, and find greater control and choice in my life.”

Bamboozled by the depth of change in technology over the past 15 years, John is looking into a basic computer course offered by the local library. He’s also leveraging new platforms to progress his passion for guitar.

“Playing guitar in prison took me away to a different place in my mind, and I have kept that up since my release. Through Facebook and YouTube, I have found the chords, words and even a tutorial on how to play any song you can imagine on the guitar.”

In addition to spending time outdoors mowing, whipper-snipping, pruning and weeding his local area, John is keen to start involving himself in community pursuits.

“I’d like to do some voluntary work with the returned veterans, to give something back to the community where I can. I feel that the support I received from Adam and RFQ allowed me to start developing and growing in the right direction – towards a better, brighter future.”