Balanced Choice Justice

Youth Justice

The Balanced Choice Program was specifically developed for use in youth detention centres and prisons. That was where the company’s philosophy was forged and it remains the backbone of our work today. Our objective is to allow every single person we work with the support they need to reach their potential, regardless of their circumstance. At Balanced Choice we empower individuals to make wise choices and support them in commitments that align to their values. This includes referrals to appropriate support networks such as educational organisations, rehabilitation centres or job networks.

Balanced Choice has a holistic outlook on wellbeing. We believe it is essential to maintain balance of the body, mind, and spirit. We deliver programs in partnership with youth and adult prisons, reengagement centres and services providers supporting people in conflict with the justice system. Our objectives include: 

  • increasing physical activity and fitness levels; 

  • improved sense of self-worth; 

  • enhanced emotional awareness and subjective wellbeing; 

  • better mental health literacy; 

  • healthier relationships with peers and family; 

  • increased self-efficacy and resilience; 

  • a positive future outlook and personal goals; and 

  • a greater sense of connection to self and others.

“The Balanced Choice Program is definitely one of the best programs I am aware of supporting people in prison. The Balanced Choice team do an amazing job engaging with youth in detention. The program and its invitation to participate in life, learning how to take responsibility for their own lives’ is impressive. A program of health wellbeing and responsibility well designed and run.”

Dean Lloyd - Criminal Consultant and Councillor

“You made me healthy, you made me strong, you gave me a gift that I use every day. You treated me like a son.“

Participant – Dondale Youth Detention Centre

Working in Prisons & Detention

Balanced Choice is a pathway, a journey. It is a platform that focuses on how individuals choose to program their lives, and how their choices develop who they are. We believe it is essential to maintain balance of the body, mind and spirit. Balanced Choice programs promote living in a way that nourishes each of these elements. 


By making choices that maintain a healthy balance, individuals can respond to daily challenges with a positive headspace - building resilience and developing respect for themselves and others. The design of the program is informed by current best practice guidelines and evidence-based research. Flexibility is the key to Balanced Choice’s impact. Our engagement specialists are able to adjust the structure of the program on any given day to meet the specific circumstances of that moment.

Our work in gaols and youth detention centres is guided by

  • A great medium for constructing relationships. When people go through physical hardship together, the mutual challenge allows trainers and trainees to quickly build bonds. Balanced Choice staff will not ask a participant to do something they would not do themselves - staff will do every single push-up, sit up or squat throughout the process, building trust and enabling side-by-side conversations.


  • Drama games translate ideas into experiences. Every session is based around a theme or a value and we look at how that value impacts our behaviours through participation in games. At the same time they build confidence, self-efficacy, teamwork and problem-solving skills … and laughter is a powerful vehicle for healing.

  • Central to Balanced Choice process are the principles of Learned Optimism delivered through PERMA, and Hope Theory, which was born from Positive Psychology. Hope Theory is “perceived capability to derive pathways to desired goals and motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways” explored in C. R. Snyder’s, Rainbows in the Mind.


  • Every Balanced Choice session challenges participants to identify a ‘quote of the day’, either original or existing, which is related to the day’s theme or value. This powerful engagement tool invites participants to challenge negative mindsets and initiate productive discussions, where individuals are free to safely express personal opinion and views.

“My big brother. If it wasn’t for him when he came consistently to Berrimah Correctional to us high security detainees, teaching us the importance of principles and values that we as young men should adhere to through the essence of what life is really about. 

I still remember one quote he shared with us that I am sure a lot of the boys forgot about but it was one of Martin Luthur King Jr; “If you can't fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But  whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.

I don’t think he remembers but I sure did because it has resonated with me from thirteen to now that no matter what life throws at you, depletes you from your means, you must always find a way.” 

Participant - Berrimah Correctional Centre

Staff Training

The goal of Balanced Choice is to hand over our skills to our engagement partners so that over time the benefits of our processes can be achieved without us. 

Balanced Choice’s most experienced facilitators can run professional development workshops with the guards and staff working in youth justice to demonstrate how we embed the principles of Learned Optimism and the Anchor Values in everyday interactions.

Workshops are tailored to the needs of each individual staff group and the structure and content is developed in consultation with management.

Examples of topics that can be addressed in the program include:

  • Supporting social and emotional and wellbeing (substance misuse, mental health, trauma, respectful relationships).

  • How interactions can support the development of education, vocational and life skills (literacy and numeracy, work/vocational experience, life skills, meal preparation and personal care).

  • Recognising and strengthening connection to culture, family, and community.

  • Reinforcing pro-social behaviours.

Contact

If Balanced Choice could make a difference where you are, we’d love to hear from you.

Enquire