Serco is proud to announce we have been recognised as an ABA100® Winner for Community Contribution in The Australian Business Awards 2024, recognising organisations that implement initiatives which create positive impact for communities and generate outcomes that have a long-term benefit.
Serco, a leading provider of essential services across the justice system, has made significant strides in reducing reoffending by focusing on education and addressing criminogenic needs. Recognising the significant impact of parental incarceration on children, Serco partnered with SHINE for Kids and Green Fox Studio to address a critical gap in prison literature, producing ‘The Sun Still Shines’, a book written by incarcerated fathers for their children.
Serco Asia Pacific Managing Director, Justice and Immigration, Michael Strickland, said we are honoured to receive this prestigious award, which recognises our efforts to create lasting, positive impact on those in our care and the communities we serve.
"'The Sun Still Shines' is more than just a book; it stands as a testament to the strength of resilience and the transformative power of rehabilitation. This project has helped strengthen family bonds and supported the mental and emotional wellbeing of children facing the challenges of parental incarceration,” Mr Strickland said.
The book, created through the Storytime program at Clarence Correctional Centre in New South Wales, operated by Serco, was crafted over a seven-month period. The final copy reflects the fathers’ desire to communicate love, understanding, and the reality of their circumstances to their children.
'The Sun Still Shines' was released on Father’s Day 2023 and is for the over 40,000 children with a parent in custody across Australia. It has been integrated into SHINE for Kids programs, including Storytime and mentoring initiatives, and distributed to public and prison libraries nationwide.
"Driven by our rehabilitative approach, this recognition is a testament to support successful reintegration of offenders into society, whilst ensuring community safety."
"Through collaboration and creativity, this initiative has brought hope and support to thousands of individuals in custody and their families, fostering meaningful connections and reducing the cycle of intergenerational offending," Mr Strickland said.
'The Sun Still Shines' demonstrates Serco’s commitment to community safety and the wellbeing of those affected by the criminal justice system.