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Offending rate remains steady but prison costs spike by almost $1 billion
Despite the rate of offenders in Australia remaining steady over the past five years, the national imprisonment rate has jumped by an alarming 25 per cent – resulting in a staggering spike in the cost of prisons by almost a billion dollars (to a total of $3.8 billion) during the same period. The analysis is…
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Expansion of youth justice bail services welcomed
Jesuit Social Services today welcomed a number of initiatives to strengthen Victoria’s Youth Justice system – such as the expansion of the Central After Hours Bail Placement Services and Youth Justice Bail Supervision – and called on the Andrews government to continue investing in both supervision and support. “We have been advocating for an expansion…
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Statement regarding the transfer of young people to Barwon adult prison
Jesuit Social Services resolutely believes that no child should be held in an adult prison facility. We accept the need to find alternative housing for a number of young people while the facilities at Parkville are repaired but the alternative must offer appropriate services and conditions to support and rehabilitate young people. The solution must…
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Youth offenders must be treated in a manner consistent with their age
Jesuit Social Services has warned the Government that its move to transfer 40 children and young people to a unit at Barwon Prison could be counter-productive unless strict conditions are followed and the arrangement is brought to an end as soon as possible. The organisation acknowledged that a temporary solution is necessary in the light…
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Government must ensure safety for all those on Nauru and Manus Island
Jesuit Social Services today welcomed the news that an end was in sight to the inhumane offshore detention regime that has traumatised many innocent people in Australia’s name. The organisation commended those in the community who fought so hard to bring about change, and said those same people must continue to monitor developments to ensure…
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Close offshore processing and Bring Them Here
Jesuit Social Services has called for refugees and people seeking asylum currently on Nauru to be brought to Australia, joining the Australian Catholic Bishops Council, Amnesty International and many other people of goodwill in a growing chorus of support for such a move. Further, Jesuit Social Services has pledged its support as part of a…
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Archbishop Hart has shown true leadership
Archbishop Denis Hart has shown true leadership in calling on the Australian Government to bring the men, women and children on Manus Island and Nauru to Australia, says Jesuit Social Services. “Many people in the Catholic Church have denounced the country’s offshore detention regime and punitive policies towards people seeking asylum, and Archbishop Hart has…
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Rising suicide rates show prevention remains a crucial part of mental health service mix
New data published this week showing suicide in Australia has reached a decade-high rate is an important reminder that suicide prevention is one of the most crucial elements of our response to mental health, says Jesuit Social Services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ annual Causes of Death report reveals that the suicide rate in 2015…
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Child Protection Week shines spotlight on link between trauma and criminal activity
Evidence of clear links between involvement with the Child Protection system and involvement with the criminal justice system highlights the need for greater support to prevent vulnerable young people from a lifetime of cycling in and out of prison, says Jesuit Social Services. To mark National Child Protection Week, Jesuit Social Services has completed a…
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Prison is no place for primary school aged children
Queensland leads the country in locking up 10- and 11-year old children, but the incarceration of primary school aged children is a national shame that must cease immediately by raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12, says Jesuit Social Services. “A new report by Amnesty International Australia has highlighted a number of serious concerns…