An Update on Computers in Cells 27 June 2024 The Australasian Corrections Education Association (ACEA) 15th Biennial International Conference 11-13th June 2024, addressed the importance of corrections education to empower prisoners during a time of technological advancements and global challenges. The theme of the conference was aimed at finding the best and most innovative approaches […]
An Update on Computers in Cells 24 November 2021 In a letter to Justice Action, Acting Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) Kevin Corcoran has provided an updated status of computers in cells. Currently, he estimates around 7,000 prisoners have a device that they can use after lock-in hours. CSNSW has 600 existing tablets that
NSW Budget Estimates Committee on Counter Terrorism & Corrections Read More »
As a member of the Australian Capital Territory Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS), as well as an ‘essential’ presence at the NSW Drug Summit and International Conference on Penal Abolition (ICOPA) (1997), Justice Action support the decriminalisation of drug use in Australia. Australian drug laws are regressive, punitive and harbour a very strict approach as they are influenced by the ‘war on drugs’ mentality. Instead, legislative change must be implemented to enable the introduction of a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) in the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for those who wish to use it. This is to ensure the prevention of disease transmission within prisons, as well as to secure detainees’ rights to an equivalent healthcare system.
On 26th May 2021, Justice Action (JA) was invited by Legal Awareness Watch (LAW) Pakistan to present a live talk on Zoom during a Juvenile Justice Systems (JJS) Act workshop. The presentation consisted of an analysis of Pakistan’s demographics and problems in their judicial and political systems in relation to the recent JJS Act 2018.
Juvenile Justice Systems Act (Pakistan) Workshop 26th May 2021 Read More »
As a social structure, communities serve to enhance responsibility by and for individuals and enable groups to live in harmony. Prisoners should not be excluded from the democratic processes inherent in society, as they too, are bound by shared experiences, mutual concerns and shared living areas. Their right to group representation is formally acknowledged in
Prisoner Community Acknowledgement Read More »
The campaign against the Chief Psychiatrist’s Communique 2014 was sent to Bronwyn Taylor MLC – NSW Minister for Mental Health, Dr. Murray Wright – Chief Psychiatrist NSW Health and Judge Paul Lakatos SC – President, Mental Health Review Tribunal. We are still awaiting a response from Dr. Murray Wright and Bronwyn Taylor MLC. As you
Call for withdrawal of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Communique 2014 Read More »
Forensic Community Treatment Orders (FCTOs) authorise the forcible medication of individuals with mental illness within prison. These orders apply to prisoners who develop a mental illness while in prison and to forensic patients who are detained in a prison. FCTOs raise a number of ethical issues, namely the breach of one’s entitlement to equivalent treatment
Stopping Forced Medication in Prison Read More »
Latest News Callan Park Leaflet: Battle of the Roses Overview The national framework for recovery-oriented mental health services recognises the importance of the right of self-determination to recovery. Although Australia and NSW have policies that embrace the consumer-led movement, there remains significant gaps in its delivery resulting in individuals becoming entrapped. The Callan Park Consumer
Callan Park Consumer Empowerment Project Read More »
Access to education is now available for prisoners regardless of where they are, or their previous educational experience. University courses and programs are now accessible without the need for internet or any prison administration involvement. Such educational opportunities are being offered to prisoners due to a gap caused by COVID-19 and a lack of international
Educational opportunities for prisoners Read More »