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#JusticeSolutions New Zealand tour – Challenge 2000
In the fourth blog reflecting on the observations of our #JusticeSolutions tour of New Zealand, Jesuit Social Services’ General Manager – Justice Programs DANIEL CLEMENTS recaps his meeting with staff from Challenge 2000, a youth development, community and family social work agency. On our arrival, manager Damian Dempsey told us we would be receiving a…
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#JusticeSolutions New Zealand tour – Korowai Manaaki
In the fifth blog reflecting on the observations of our #JusticeSolutions tour of New Zealand, Jesuit Social Services’ Executive Director – Advocacy and Strategic Communications CATH NEVILLE writes that the Korowai Manaaki youth detention centre has a strong emphasis on experienced staff and education. On Friday 5th April, we went to the Korowai Manaaki youth…
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NT’s investment into alternatives to detention will benefit entire community
The Northern Territory Government’s 2019-20 Budget investments into alternatives to detention, as well as services and programs to keep children and young people on track, will ultimately benefit the entire community, according to Jesuit Social Services. “We welcome the Northern Territory Government’s funding commitments to new and re-purposed facilities to support youth diversion programs and…
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AIHW youth justice data highlights urgent need to raise the age of criminal responsibility
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) which reveals the stark over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the youth justice system must be the catalyst for urgent reform, including raising the age of criminal responsibility, says Jesuit Social Services. “It is positive to note that the number…
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Increased use of youth detention highlights need for new solutions
A shocking increase in the number of young people in youth detention in Victoria is at odds with the number of young people committing offences – and highlights that new solutions are required so that detention is only ever used as a last resort, says Jesuit Social Services. The report released today by the Australian…
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The (restricted) right of people in prison to vote
People sentenced to prison are deprived of their liberty, but they shouldn’t be deprived of their right to have a voice as part of a society. We must ensure that all people in prison retain the right to vote, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer DAVID HOPKINS. A record 96.8 per cent…
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Plans for new ‘supermax’ unit symptomatic of youth justice troubles
News of a new ‘supermax’ unit within Victoria’s youth detention system highlights a range of systemic issues that need to be urgently addressed, says Jesuit Social Services. “It is clear that the current conditions in our youth detention facilities are not supporting the successful rehabilitation of young people involved with the justice system,” says Julie…
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Navigator helps Steven get back on track
When Steven (not his real name), a young Aboriginal boy, engaged with Jesuit Social Services’ Navigator program he was experiencing significant challenges with his education. Steven had a long-standing pattern of not attending school. He has a diagnosed learning disability and was not receiving any extra assistance in the classroom. Our Navigator program provides individualised…
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Young people share their views on justice
Earlier this year, a group of young people aged 15 to 25 years, all of whom had previous contact with at least one of the youth justice, adult justice and out-of-home-care systems, shared their thoughts about supporting young people at risk. The links between the child protection and justice systems are well documented, with 37…
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New ways needed to help kids in crisis
John Adams, General Manager – Northern Territory at Jesuit Social Services, writes about the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. This piece was originally published in the NT News. Locking up children as young as 10 years old is not the right way to respond to kids in…