-
One year anniversary of Royal Commission report a chance to reset
The one year anniversary of the final report of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory is an opportunity to take stock and re-commit ourselves to a youth justice system that strengthens, rather than harms, children, families and the community, says Jesuit Social Services. “All the evidence to the Royal Commission…
-
New Darwin youth justice facility must be fast-tracked
Another incident at Darwin’s Don Dale centre overnight is further evidence that the new youth detention facilities, announced as a result of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, must be fast-tracked says Jesuit Social Services. “In its final report last year, the Royal Commission found that facilities…
-
Mandatory sentencing laws a step backwards for Victoria
The passing of new laws that will impose mandatory prison sentences on people who assault emergency services workers is a step backwards for Victoria’s criminal justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. “We all agree that emergency services workers perform vital services in the community and should be safe at work. Mandatory sentencing is not the…
-
Victoria needs evidence-based justice system, not new prison
A new 1,000-plus bed prison for Victoria, plans of which were revealed in the Herald-Sun this week, would be counter-productive to community safety, according to Jesuit Social Services. “We are extremely disappointed to learn of plans for another prison in Victoria, after the Victorian Government has already committed money to a new 700-bed prison in…
-
Isolation in detention has irreversible impact on young adults
James (not his real name) was a teenager when he was subjected to isolation in detention. For 22 hours a day, he was locked in his cell. For the other two hours he was permitted out of his cell with a small group of fellow prisoners. When James left prison and returned to the community,…
-
Damning report reveals extent of youth detention system failings
A damning report tabled today by the Victorian Auditor-General’s office reveals the shocking failures of the youth detention system to rehabilitate young people involved in the system, ultimately failing to reduce reoffending, says Jesuit Social Services. The report on Managing Rehabilitation Services in Youth Detention finds that young people in detention have not been receiving…
-
Support for frontline staff means less crime and fewer victims
This week’s investment of $2.77 million to support the Northern Territory’s frontline workers in child protection, youth justice and domestic violence services will ultimately result in less crime and fewer victims, says Jesuit Social Services. “Our child protection and youth justice workers play vital roles in supporting some of the community’s most marginalized children and…
-
Victorian mandatory sentencing will result in more vulnerable people caught in the prison system
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JUNE 20, 2018 New laws to impose a mandatory sentence for assaults on emergency services workers are poorly considered, rushed and misguided, says Jesuit Social Services. “These laws will unfairly impact on vulnerable Victorians, remove judicial discretion, and further clog our courts and prison systems,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie…
-
Restricting prisoner access to redress scheme denies human rights
A coalition of representatives from Australia’s legal, human rights and community services sectors have signed an open letter to state and Federal Attorneys-General and Social Services Minister Dan Tehan, urging them to ensure people with criminal convictions have access to the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child abuse. “We welcome the…
-
New youth justice data shows Australia is failing Aboriginal children
A tenfold over-representation of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people in the criminal justice system shows that Australia is failing vulnerable children, and raising the age of criminal responsibility and culturally-specific responses should be among the solutions to address the issue, says Jesuit Social Services. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Youth…