'Almost Guaranteed a Job’: Inside the Prison Rail Program Breaking the Cycle of Re-offending

Twelve prisoners at Wooroloo Prison Farm graduated last Friday, from a 11-week railway training program designed to address skills shortages while creating a clearer pathway away from re-offending.

The IPS Track to Success initiative, now in its fifth intake, delivered both Thrive life skills training and accredited qualifications in a Certificate II in Rail Maintenance and brought together mentors, stakeholders and industry representatives including, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Workskil and CAT5 company for the graduation event.

The program won the 2025 NAWIC WA Award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in October.

Iron Training Consulting Railway industry trainer and instructor Grant Carr led the course, combining practical and theory-based learning. The training included units in laying railway sleepers, rail fastening systems, heat and cut materials using oxy LPG, and critical communications in the rail industry.

Track to Success is first of its kind in Western Australia to be delivered in an all-male and all female facility and reflected IPS capability in building scalable, cross sector solutions.
One prisoner said the support offered during training had been exceptional.

Others spoke highly of the Thrive program and how it developed their much-needed confidence.

All prisoners showed appreciation for Thrive for bringing everyone together and providing a network of support both inside and outside of prison.

“Grant is a great instructor. He even shares his phone number and helps us get employed outside,” he said.

Another prisoner, a repeat offender, said the program had reshaped how he viewed custody and his future.

“This time, jail is a very different experience. I’ve learned resilience and the ability to get back up,” he said.

The graduation also marked a symbolic shift for participants, who traded prison uniforms for work attire for the duration of the program and the graduation ceremony.

Jackie Graham, IPS Executive Lead for Workforce Transformation said the change was more than cosmetic, offering a psychological boost and reinforcing a sense of identity tied to work and responsibility.

“It’s not just about jobs. It’s about breaking cycles and creating new pathways,” Jackie said.

“We need a whole of systems approach for something like this to work.”

Acting Superintendent Callum MacNeill acknowledged that the qualification carried an obligation to help the broader society at large.

“You have a responsibility to family, society.”

“Take this as a new journey for you and your family,” Mitchell said.

Assistant Director of Prisoner Employment Programs and Transitional Services, Larry Smith said demand for skilled workers in the economy remained strong.

“Many employers have indicated they need skilled workers.”

“There are hundreds of jobs available now in the mining sector and in the metro area where lots of rail is being upgraded,” Larry said.

“This means the prisoners would almost be guaranteed a job when they’re released.”

“And this is crucial to reducing the risk of re-offending.”

Track to Success is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as a Work Specialist Program and is run in partnership with several training and employment agencies.
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If your organisation would like to explore how Thrive could support your workforce, book an appointment with the IPS team here.