Our thinking Archives - Page 5 of 34 - Jesuit Social Services

Give people a home, and you give them a second chance to get their lives on track
- 20 November 2018
Unstable housing is the most significant factor affecting the likelihood of somebody returning to prison. If we want to reduce re-offending and create a safer society, we must ensure people leaving prison have access to safe and secure housing, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer JEMIMA HOFFMAN. The recidivism rate in Victoria…
Keeping young people engaged with school means better outcomes for the whole community
- 16 November 2018
More than half of the young people involved in Victoria’s youth justice system have been suspended or expelled from school. The Navigator program helps keep vulnerable young people connected with education – and more children should have access to it, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. The links between disengagement from education…
Victorian election is a time to commit to solutions to fix our broken youth justice system
- 14 November 2018
The next Victorian Government must commit to solutions to fix our broken youth justice system – including a rollback of regressive sentencing practices, raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years and investing in diversion programs, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy and Advocacy volunteer AARON BATCHELOR. Youth justice is at a crossroads…
The National Apology for child abuse - Let’s support all victims
- 26 October 2018
This week’s national apology to victims of child sexual abuse is an important acknowledgement of past failure to protect our children and young people. But it is vital that all people have the right to access compensation, support to rehabilitate, and an opportunity to heal, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer JEMIMA…
New reports show the failings of the Victorian youth detention system
- 25 September 2018
New reports by the Victorian Auditor-General’s office and Victorian Commissioner for Children and Young People highlight the significant strain the state’s youth detention system is under – and the harmful impact this has on the rehabilitation prospects of young people. It’s time for evidence-based solutions, writes Jesuit Social Services’ KATHRYN KERNOHAN. The failings of the…
New report reveals impact of isolation in prison
- 13 September 2018
A new report by Jesuit Social Services reveals the physical and mental impact that isolation can have on young adults in the Victorian prison system. Change is needed to improve their chances of rehabilitation and reintegration in the community, writes Jesuit Social Services Communications volunteer LIAM FALLON. Like many others, James was transferred from a youth…
Isolation of young people in prison leads to irreversible damage
- 5 September 2018
Victoria’s adult prison population grew by 71 per cent over the 10 years to 2017 – an extra 3,006 people. This is largely attributable to changes to bail laws: the adult remand population soared more than 150 per cent over the same period, and 38 per cent of young adults in prison are on remand.…
Shift in illicit drug rhetoric and policy should not be considered soft
- 8 August 2018
An expansion of the successful Drug Court and trial of a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Victoria are are examples of a health-based response that reflects a compassionate, evidence-based policy agenda, writes Jesuit Social Services’ policy volunteer MITCHELL GLASS. Collectively, there is a growing recognition that the current ‘war on drugs’ approach is not an effective…
Francis' ordeal reveals failings of NDIS and the prison system
- 4 July 2018
The story of a young man named Francis reveals significant failings of both the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the criminal justice system – and his plight must lead to better outcomes for people like him in the future, writes Jesuit Social Services Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. In November 2017, a young man…
Law Week - Time to treat children with a restorative justice and welfare approach
- 18 May 2018
This Law Week, it’s time to talk about the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility to better support young children, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. This week is Law Week (May 14-20), an opportunity for members of the community to learn more about elements of the legal system as…