Policy submissions

Here you’ll find a wide selection of policy papers and submissions we’ve published. Each paper draws on our experience working with disadvantaged youth, families and communities.

Submission to the Cultural Review of the Adult Custodial Corrections System
- 13 December 2021
Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute a response to the Cultural Review of the Adult Custodial Corrections System. The Victorian Government commissioned this independent review to ensure that Victoria’s adult custodial facilities promote rehabilitation and are safe environments for both people in prison and staff. The primary goal of any effective and humane criminal…
Submission to the Inquiry into Victoria’s Criminal Justice System
- 23 September 2021
COVID-19 has shown that alternative ways of operating the justice system are possible, and that there is an opportunity to ‘build back better’ with a socially and environmentally just system that is driven by evidence and best practice. Jesuit Social Services was pleased to make a submission to the Inquiry into Victoria’s Criminal Justice System,…
Keeping ‘Youth at the Centre’ of our 5th National Justice Symposium
- 22 September 2021
Julie Edwards with international speakers Candice C. Jones and Clinton Lacey in their session at the National Justice Symposium In July 2021, Jesuit Social Services partnered with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) to host the 5th National Justice Symposium in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and online. Our biennial National Justice Symposium brings together key stakeholders…
Submission to the Victorian Government’s Consultation in response to the Victorian Government’s Discussion Paper ‘What matters to young people in Victoria’
- 18 February 2021
A statewide strategy that enables all young Victorians to thrive must specifically target people at heightened risk of disadvantage and be grounded in a framework of human rights principles. Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute a submission in response to the Victorian Government’s ‘What matters to young people in Victoria’ discussion paper, as part…
Submission on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options in the Northern Territory
- 8 February 2021
Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute to the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee’s consultation on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options. Our submission outlined our opposition to mandatory sentencing and recommended the repeal of all mandatory sentencing provisions in the NT under the Sentencing Act 1995, the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 and…
Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s Consultation on Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences
- 11 January 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s (VLRC) consultation on Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences. In general, Jesuit Social Services advocates a restorative approach by the justice system. In the context of sexual offending and sexual offences, we emphasise the need to ensure that restorative approaches are…
Exploring the needs of people on Community Correction Orders and opportunities to improve rehabilitative pathways
- 14 September 2020
Rates of imprisonment have consistently risen in Australia over the past few decades. In addition to the significant economic cost, research shows that prison is not an effective deterrent and may itself lead to criminal behaviour. Community-based options show promise in relation to recidivism reduction and cost effectiveness. In Victoria, the Community Corrections Order (CCO)…
Submission to the Federal Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
- 7 August 2020
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. We acknowledge the detailed and complex nature of the Commission’s deliberations and its attention to sensitive issues impacting older Australians. Our submission draws attention to two contexts – the experience and care of older Australians in prisons,…
Submission on the NT Aboriginal Justice Agreement
- 22 April 2020
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Northern Territory Aboriginal Justice Agreement. Almost 20 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody that initiated the development of Aboriginal Justice Agreements (AJA) in other jurisdictions, the development of an AJA for the Northern Territory is an historic process. Jesuit…
Submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability – Criminal Justice System Issues Paper
- 8 April 2020
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on the Criminal Justice System Issues Paper prepared by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. We support the Royal Commission’s focus on key issues that people with disability face when they come into contact with the criminal…