Our thinking Archives - Page 5 of 35 - Jesuit Social Services

Power to the people
- 12 March 2019
In this guest blog post, Loyola College student JULIA TRAN shares a powerful reflection on how her Christian Service placement with Jesuit Social Services changed her views about social, criminal and gender justice. Before spending a week at Jesuit Social Services, I had little to no compassion for those who had previously committed crimes. I…
Justice Legislation Bill will further entrench young people in the justice system
- 8 March 2019
The passing of the Victorian Government’s Justice Legislation (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2018 will further entrench vulnerable young people in the prison system, says Jesuit Social Services. The Bill, which passed the Legislative Council yesterday, creates new offences and higher penalties for people who seek to harm or intimidate police officers, protective services officers,…
With female incarceration rates on the rise, it's time we work towards a justice system that better supports vulnerable women
- 7 March 2019
International Women’s Day is a platform to take action for equality. With Victoria’s female incarceration rate having increased by 138 per cent over the past decade, it’s time we work towards creating a justice system that better supports vulnerable women in the community and in prison, writes KATHRYN KERNOHAN. International Women’s Day is an annual…
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.…