Life on the Outside

What person in their right mind would let a complete stranger and convicted criminal come and stay in their home?

An Aussie angel that’s for sure. But they do exist, as evidenced by the new SBS documentary series, Life on the Outside.

Unlike a lot of other TV shows, this one is not an imported format, although it is based on a US recidivism program. It’s just that now it’s being filmed for SBS cameras by ITV Studios Australia.

There are more than 40,000 Australians in prison and statistics show that 1 in 2 will lend up back inside in the first 2 years due largely to a lack of accommodation and support. For some former inmates, life outside can be overwhelming, a concept that even TV dramas have entertained with key characters.

Danielle Cormack, former Wentworth star, narrates this three part series in which several ex-cons will be given new homes for 100 days from exceedingly benevolent Aussies -three of whom we meet at length in the first episode.

School teacher Amanda who lost her brother to a drug overdose lives alone and is welcoming Sierra, released after serving 13 months at Cessnock for drug possession, stealing, dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage. At 40 years old she wants to get her kids back.

“New house, new area…. I need to grow up and make something of my life,” says Sierra.

Amanda, who enjoys watching Midsomer Murders, admits, “I could be naive about what will happen. I’d rather enter into this though with a generous heart and be open-minded….”

When the two meet there’s hesitation, excitement, and plenty of questions.

40 year old Jeremy has a long history of incarceration. This is his 14th release, after 2 years for aggravated break and enter. He is taken in by Louise who runs an IT company from home with her adult children. While daughter Brittany is open to the idea, son Reggie is less convinced. Louise’s father, a minister, used to visit prisoners and tell her that many had made bad life decisions.

“Most of them were quite keen to turn their lives around,” she says. “That’s made me quite comfortable with the idea that people deserve second chances.”

The third pairing is between husband and wife, emergency worker Wayne and TAB owner Julie, with former prisoner Brett, 52. He has been released after 7 months for multiple convictions, including reckless driving assault and common assault.

“I think it’s time I pulled my head in and done the right thing,” says Brett.

He’s about to meet Wayne, a salt of the earth bloke, who maintains, “If we can show that we all are Aussies, we all are behind our mates, everyone should get that opportunity.”

Wayne will even offer Brett his own key to the house, a big move for a complete stranger.

Episode two will include an Indigenous prisoner release, with statistics having shown they are 13 times more likely to be locked up than non-Indigenous.

I’m not entirely sure what the motivation is for the ex-prisoners to agree to cameras filming them (is there a production fee?). All the homes require the approval of Corrective Services NSW and entail strict parole conditions with case workers. But they appear to view the move as temporary accommodation with varying levels of optimism.

There’s also the question of whether being followed by a TV crew is added pressure, or does it help them stay on the straight path?

Of course the series requires contrasting storylines to succeed as a narrative. If all the prisoners / families traverse a smooth path then this would be a one-off recidivism special. Instead the characters, and their various hopes and dreams, are an investment for the viewer. And by the looks of the episode promos, there will be moments of conflict, regret, and the whole experiment at risk of continuing.

But this is SBS. You’d expect green shoots of hope that illustrate with persistence, the majority will succeed and that we can all do better at fixing a broken system. Yes, this is worthy TV (perfect for a Gogglebox debate), if with tough love. But it’s also pretty amazing access and I’d fully expect this to be produced in other territories.

Points to SBS and ITV Studios for taking a risk and posing the deeper argument that everyone deserves a second chance.

Life on the Outside 8:30pm Wednesday on SBS.