The From Jails to Jobs pilot initiative aims to transition 60 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders from prison into ongoing employment within the resource sector. The initiative will seek to reduce recidivism amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners by providing job training and readiness skills and linking offenders with industry partners to secure skilled jobs.

The Queensland budget allocated $1.3 million in 2016-17 for the From Jails to Jobs pilot initiative to transition Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders into ongoing employment in the resource sector.

In June 2017, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) provided matched funding of $1.3 million. This additional funding has expanded the initiative to allow for 60 participants in total.

The purpose of this procurement activity is to engage a suitably qualified Supplier (working collaboratively with stakeholders) to evaluate the From Jails to Jobs pilot initiative. The evaluation of the From Jails to Jobs pilot initiative will encompass both an implementation review and an outcomes review as outlined in the Evaluation Objectives.

The evaluation will also seek to estimate the expected social and economic benefits arising from the pilot initiative to ensure future Queensland Government funding is appropriately targeted and delivering value for money outcomes, and that benefits can be reasonably attributed to the pilot initiative. The Supplier will be required to develop and design an evaluation framework in consultation with stakeholders, including outlining an evidence base, evaluation objectives and planned evaluation activities.

The Supplier will perform the services at the following locations:
* Lotus Glen Correctional Centre (Far North Queensland)
* Townsville Men’s and Women’s Correctional Centre (North Queensland)

The initiative will also include a residential training phase to be delivered at Dugalunji Camp (residential facility) at Camooweal (North Queensland).