Justice Action represents people locked in Australian prisons and hospitals, defending human rights in the hardest places. The movement to provide a voice, and to show support for prisoners dates back to when Australia was a penal colony. The movement arose in response to the inhumane slavery and degradation of convicts at that time.
Justice Action (JA) continues that spirit and tradition by representing people affected by imprisonment and targeting the abuse of authority against other vulnerable individuals who are incarcerated. It funds its independence through the social enterprise Breakout Media Communications.
In addition to its work in defending human rights, JA gives voice to the marginalized and excluded. JA believes that a positive change in Australia’s criminal justice and mental health systems requires these voices to be respected and embraced as part of the solution.
JA aims to improve the social and mental health of prisoners and involuntary patients by providing prisoner, mental health and court support. It also engages in policy development, initiates campaigns and liaises with stakeholders.
JA comprises prisoners, victims, families, students, lawyers, judges, members of parliament, the media and others who contribute their skills, knowledge, talents and support to redress the injustices of our judicial system.
We welcome all who wish to join us in our work!
Strategic Plan
- JA empowers individuals in prisons and prison hospitals by ensuring access to the tools and information they need to defend and develop themselves.
- JA builds networks among prisoners, victims, families and others, and exposes abuses of authority in the media and in JA publications, as well as fostering education for those behind bars.
- JA strives to address the needs of victims and aims to reconcile them with their injury, the community and the offender.
- JA provides prisoners, mental health and court support by investigating complaints and following focus cases.
- JA seeks to redress inequality in the community by promoting policy changes and alternatives to imprisonment.
- JA works at local, national and international levels with organisations such as the Community Justice Coalition and the International Conference on Penal Abolition among others to ensure that Australia’s human rights obligation are met in relation to those it imprisons.
Our Achievements
- Exposed lack on enforceable standards within prison cells by unfavourably comparing conditions of imprisoned people to zoo animals (2015)
- Represented Life Prisoners Right to Develop, NSW Parliament (2015)
- Defended the right of mental health involuntary patient Saeed Dezfouli to his identity and to education (2014, 2010)
- Published Mad in Australia, which exposed abuse of mental health patients (2013)
- Launched four Justice Reform Initiative papers at the International Conference on Penal Abolition (ISOPA) 14 in Trinidad (2012)
- Represented Australians held against their will at the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) Torture Consultation (2009)
- Defended convicted paedophile Dennis Ferguson’s right to forgiveness and resettlement after release (2009)
- Conducted mentoring workshops for young, vulnerable people with Mission Australia (2008)
- Defended children’s rights to all-day visits with their mothers at Emu Plains Correctional Centre (2006)
- Defended Australian prisoners’ right to vote (2006, 1997)
- Created a TAFE mentoring course aimed at ex-prisoners with 22 graduates of the first course (2003)
- Initiated the computer project, with over 100 computers donated to prisons from the corporate and community sectors (1999)
- Facilitated the creation of the Australian Prisoners Union (1999)
- Lobbied the Wood Royal Commission on corrupt police and wrongful convictions (1997)
- Initiated Richard Lynott’s case against the Government for negligence due to its failure to supply clean needles and syringes in prison, which resulted in his death (1996)
- Forced the reform of the corrupt police practice of concocting confessions known as verbals (1994)
- Hosted the Hilton Hotel bombing defence (1982)
- Changed the law with Women Behind Bars on domestic violence murder cases through the Violet Roberts Campaign (1980)
Our Media Platforms
iExpress is the world’s first webpage and interactive email system for people in prisons and hospitals. It reduces social exclusion by allowing them to exercise their voice and encourage interaction.
Just Us is the only Australian and New Zealand publication distributed to all prisonsm hospitals, judges and politicians. By giving a voice to those silenced by the criminal justice and mental health systems, it provides ongoing engagement with the community.
Breakout Media Communications is the social enterprise sponsoring Justice Action. Let Breakout provide you with top quality print, design and web service at the same price you are now paying, to help fund the work of Justice Action.
Email: Sales@breakout.net.au Ph: 02 9283 0123
Get involved
Join the team
We welcome students, lawyers, ex-prisoners, families, media and marketing people, event organisers…
We have an Internship Program
Apply with your CV
Call us on: 02 9283 0123
Fax: 02 9283 0112
Email us at: ja@justiceaction.org.au
Trades Hall, Level 2, Suite 204
4 Goulburn Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Donate
Bank: NAB World Square, Sydney
BSB: 082 024 Acct: 6625 11299