Serious and Organised Crime Reform Program

Program Overview

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The Affiliation to Autonomy Program is a structured 16-week behavioural change and rehabilitation intervention for individuals disengaging from organised crime, outlaw motorcycle gangs, trafficking groups, or other criminal networks.

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The program supports participants to transition from group-based affiliation to independent, accountable decision-making. It addresses identity, belonging, risk-taking, and harm, using practical, trauma-informed, and evidence-based methods recognised in Australian correctional rehabilitation frameworks.

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Participants work through a staged process of insight, accountability, reform, and reintegration, developing a personalised 90-day autonomy plan at program completion.

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Program Objectives

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1. Build self-awareness around identity, affiliation, and high-risk behaviours.

2. Strengthen accountability and understanding of harm to others and community.

3. Develop emotional regulation, decision-making, and pressure-resistance skills.

4. Reduce contact with high-risk peers, environments, and triggers.

5. Establish a pro-social network and structured daily routine.

6. Create a personalised 90-day post-program plan that supports safe autonomy.

7. Provide verifiable, court-credible evidence of engagement and progress.

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Program Structure

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Phase 1 – Identity, Affiliation, and Motivation (Weeks 1–4)

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Focus: Understanding belonging, loyalty, and the psychology of affiliation.

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• Why affiliation forms and persists.

• Mapping personal needs (safety, money, identity, status, belonging).

• Understanding group pressure, debt, and manipulation.

• Values and identity exploration: who I was vs who I am becoming.

• Completion of Needs Wheel, Cost–Benefit Table, and Values Card Sort.

• Introduction of readiness ruler and self-reflection tracking.

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Phase 2 – Accountability and Emotional Regulation (Weeks 5–8)

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Focus: Recognising harm, regulating emotions, and managing risk.

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• Identifying cognitive distortions and “thinking traps.”

• Using CBT (ABC model) to challenge automatic thoughts.

• Understanding trauma, triggers, and self-regulation strategies.

• Creating a Safety Plan v1.0 and Regulation Menu.

• Identifying risky people, places, and digital exposure.

• Mid-program review, safety plan update, and goal adjustment.

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Phase 3 – Autonomy and Pro-Social  (Weeks 9–12)

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Focus: Building independence, replacing networks, and creating new routines.

• Mapping social networks and identifying high-risk contacts.

• Developing refusal scripts and exit strategies.

• Translating “street skills” into legitimate work or training pathways.

• Building pro-social structures: employment, sport, culture, and community.

• Digital safety and online boundaries.

• Developing a personal 90-day autonomy and support plan draft.

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Phase 4 – Integration, Stability, and Sustainability (Weeks 13–16)

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Focus: Reinforcement, stability, and long-term self-management.

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• Strengthening family and parenting roles.

• Managing long-term triggers and post-program risks.

• Maintaining routine, employment, and community participation.

• Revisiting readiness ruler, distress scale, and network mapping.

• Completion of final reviews, outcomes assessment, and program reflection.

• Graduation and presentation of Certificate of Completion.

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Measurement and review framework:

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• LSI-R (Level of Service Inventory – Revised) Identifies criminogenic needs and risk factors - Week 1 & 16

• K10 (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) - Weeks 1, 8, & 16

• Readiness Ruler (0–10) - Measures motivation and engagement -Weeks 1, 8, & 16

• Safety Plan and Network Map - Identifies risks, triggers, and supports - Weeks 6, 12, & 16

• Session Reflection Forms & Behavioural Logs - Reinforces insight and accountability - Each session

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Participants also complete structured self-assessments, worksheets, and behaviour mapping activities to measure progress and demonstrate accountability.

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Program Outcomes

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Behavioural and Cognitive Outcomes

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• Demonstrated increased insight into the personal, social, and emotional factors contributing to offending behaviour.

• Identifies and corrects cognitive distortions (e.g., loyalty rationalisation, entitlement, minimisation).

• Applies problem-solving and decision-making frameworks in high-risk scenarios.

• Demonstrates improved impulse control and emotional regulation in stress or conflict.​

 

Accountability and Harm Awareness

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• Articulates understanding of harm caused to victims, family, and community.

• Accepts responsibility for personal behaviour and consequences.

• Develops and documents a personal accountability statement reflecting self-determined change.

 

Social and Relational Outcomes

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• Reduces frequency and intensity of contact with high-risk peers, groups, and environments.

• Establishes and maintains new pro-social supports and community connections.

• Demonstrates capacity to form and sustain healthy family and peer relationships.

• Participates safely and consistently in employment, training, or community activities.

 

Safety and Risk-Reduction Outcomes

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• Develops and maintains a comprehensive personal safety and risk-management plan.

• Identifies and implements strategies to avoid relapse into high-risk association or offending behaviour.

• Demonstrates increased capacity to recognise early warning signs and self-manage stress.

 

Reintegration and Desistance Outcomes

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• Develops a 90-day post-program action plan outlining structured routines, supports, and goals.

• Demonstrates readiness for sustainable, pro-social reintegration into family and community life.

• Maintains compliance with legal and court obligations throughout participation.

• Provides credible, verifiable evidence of attendance, engagement, and learning progression.

 

Psychological and Wellbeing Outcomes

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• Reports reduced psychological distress (as measured by K10 or equivalent).

• Demonstrates increased emotional resilience and coping strategies.

• Identifies personal strengths and protective factors that support long-term reform.

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Reporting and Outcomes

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At completion, participants receive:

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• A Certificate of Completion acknowledging engagement and attendance.

• A Clinically Reviewed Report outlining participation, insights, progress and outcomes. 

 

This program demonstrates proactive rehabilitation and supports consideration for bail, sentencing, or community supervision outcomes.

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With signed consent or court order, attendance verifications can be provided directly to the participant’s lawyer, Police or community corrections officer, or the court.

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