There has been a dramatic increase in Australia’s prison population in the last two decades despite falling crime rates. This is not a result of a growing population or more men and women turning to crime, but rather tougher laws, enhanced policing, and the failures of imprisonment. Data shows that individuals who are sentenced to
Build Homes Not Prisons Read More »
A victim is someone who has suffered a loss, possibly having been harmed as a result of some accident, crime or other action. The loss they suffer may be physical, through some external injury to the body. The loss may also be mental or intellectual, perhaps through bullying or other verbal attack, or through a
Australian police and correctional services have a duty of care to all prisoners. This duty of care must ensure the safety of all prisoners, by ensuring their physical and mental health needs are met in a swift and effective manner to prevent harm to the individual or others. Tragic and preventable deaths in custody show
Individuals incarcerated within Australian correctional facilities often experience various physical and mental health issues. These issues can be exacerbated by the stress of incarceration. Prisoners must have access to services that will ensure they are able to improve and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. These services can include, but are not limited to, mental
Access to Services Read More »
Latest News Funding Approved for National Database on Deaths in Custody Working Together: A Proposal for De-escalation and Safe Restraint for Authorities with Coercive PowerNational Deaths in Custody Database Proposal9 News Reports: Sydney’s Black Lives Matter ProtestsNews Au Reports: Indigenous Women Die in CustodyDeath of Wayne Fella Morrison in CustodyTane Chatfield InquestDavid Dungay Jr Death in
The recent months of international protests and year-long campaigns have shown the issue of deaths in custody as not limited to Australia and its correctional services. Throughout the world there are endless cases of avoidable deaths in custody that need to be addressed. In the United States, many have been demanding answers for arrest-related deaths
International Stance of Deaths in Custody Read More »
8th December 2020 Justice Action has recently gained support from the Australian Research and Development Commons to work with AustLII in creating a database dedicated to National Free Access Coronial Findings, Recommendations & Responses. This database was developed in response to the death of David Dungay within Sydney’s Long Bay gaol in 2015. David Dungay
Media Release – National Deaths in Custody Database Read More »
Death of Wayne Fella Morrison in CustodyDavid Dungay Jr Death in Custody InquestTane Chatfield InquestRate of Indigenous Death in Custody Continues to Rise
The Select Committee on the High Level of First Nations People in Custody and Oversight & Review of Deaths in Custody established an inquiry on June 17th 2020 into the overrepresentation of Indigenous Deaths In Custody. The New South Wales Parliament will focus on the operations and functions of the oversight bodies tasked with reviewing
Upper House Inquiry into First Nations Deaths in Custody Read More »