The issues and problems of criminal justice and prisons are ever-present. They merge or disappear with changes of government or through the efforts of the community and activists committed to reform and change.
All too often, a particular issue emerges that demands an immediate response. We are all then presented with a moment of opportunity, a time when the support of many individuals and organisations, taken together, can make a fundamental difference in the outcome.
We are volunteers who decline any funding that could compromise our work in a wide range of areas, relying instead upon community support. We seek to provide a rigorous watchdog function overlooking authorities, especially the criminal justice and health systems, and to hold our government and politicians accountable for their duty of care.
We seek to uncover and expose police and penal abuse, misconduct and corruption and to promote reform and meaningful change. We seek to assist those who suffer from the abuses of the system.
We provide prisoner, mental health and court support, and handle cases and complaints. With over 100 cases active at any one time, we facilitate representation by lawyers and agitate for investigations by government departments, by media and by independent oversight agencies.
We promote policies and initiate campaigns to uphold viable non-custodial alternatives to imprisonment and policies that criminalise the inequities in our local and global communities.
We work in coalition at the local, national and international level, including the Community Justice Coalition, national networks and the International Conference on Penal Abolition ICOPA.
We believe that meaningful change depends upon community responsibility and free access to and exchange of information as the basis for understanding and action.
About Breakout DesignPrintWeb - JA's principal sponsor
Breakout DesignPrintWeb is a social enterprise that has existed since 1984. It is a highly professional organisation with cutting edge production ability. It runs large offset and digital printing machinery, has five senior designers and web developers servicing Australia's major unions, community groups and corporations from Darwin to Tasmania.
Its profits and resources are used to help organisations achieve positive social change; be heard, stand out and achieve their objectives. It provides a 'one-stop shop' for all communication needs. It views itself as a partner with clients, employees, suppliers, community and environment.
Flexible and nimble, it stays alert to new technology and adapts with it. Open and honest, it enjoys the challenges of doing business and making its clients shine and look fantastic. Check out the recommendations!
For more about Breakout DesignPrintWeb; visit the website
