Justice Action

15/09/2026

PETITION: Miscarriage of Justice

Stephen ‘Shorty’ Jamieson has been in prison for 38 years, serving a life sentence, but it seems like a miscarriage of justice. A petition for an inquiry needs 500 signatures by the end of the month.

New linguistic evidence confirmed that the police evidence of Shorty’s ‘confession’ is unreliable and not his words. He was also identified as ‘the wrong Shorty’ from four of the perpetrators yet Jamieson remains in prison to this day.

The petition can be signed by NSW residents here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/parliamentary-business/petitions/sign-epetition?epetitionId=869&ref=10902

A memorandum published last month supports Shorty’s case for an inquiry of the conviction. 43 legal and forensic experts have endorsed it, including Mr Terry O’Gorman AM, the former president of Queensland Council for Civil Liberties. The memorandum can be read here:https://forensictranscription.net.au/wp-content/uploads/HF-and-MR-memorandum-re-Jamieson-FINAL-23-AUG.pdf

It will be tabled in Parliament with the petition. Shorty has intellectual and physical disabilities resulting from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; he is a victim of miscarriage of justice and an inquiry must be made to support his case.

26/08/2026

World Experts Report Computers in Cells Essential

World experts in prison technology has confirmed that secure technology exists to allow computers in cells for people in detention.

Australia's leading counselling organisations unanimously agreed that external counselling services, independent from the prison administration, are more effective.

Download the Full Report here: https://www.communityjusticecoalition.org/technology-in-prisons-settings-consultation-report-launch/

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"Flip the Switch": Experts Demand Digital Access in Prison Cells as Strikes Highlight Safety Crisis

International corrections and justice experts are calling on state governments to urgently introduce secure computer tablets in prison cells to tackle escalating violence, improve mental health, and reduce reoffending across Australia.

The call comes as the Community Justice Coalition (CJC) is launching its milestone consultation report, Technology in Prison Settings, and amid ongoing crisis in Queensland, where youth detention workers held statewide strikes over unsafe working conditions and inmate assaults.

At the NSW Budget Estimates hearing on Monday, Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong and the Corrective Services NSW Commissioner acknowledged the report and the safety benefits of correctional technology (p. 5, 12).

The CJC report brings together 31 professional bodies and global experts, including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Psychiatry Subcommittee.

The President of the CJC, the Hon. John Dowd AO KC, stated:
“The CJC has consulted with international and Australian experts on the use of technology in prison settings, and we have found a clear consensus: giving prisoners access, in their cells, to digital devices that have connection to the wider world improves
prisoner behaviour and reduces reoffending.”

International corrections technology expert Steven Van De Steene stated:
“The evidence is clear and the tools are ready: secure digital inclusion in prisons works to build safer communities. The future of public safety depends on it.” (p 7)

While Queensland correctional facilities faced severe disruption due to worker strikes over violence, NSW leadership indicated an openness to further reform. During Monday’s hearing, Minister Chanthivong stated he was "happy to take advice from the commissioner" as the government is "always looking for ways to improve the operations of Corrections.” (p 13)

The CJC is urging governments nationwide to deploy secure in-cell digital infrastructure to stabilize facilities and protect staff, inmates, and the broader community. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans said further:
“The New South Wales government has—to its credit—now provided devices to most adult prisoners, and we congratulate them for that. But they can, and must, do more. It
is essential that prisoners have access to effective domestic violence counselling.

We are not asking the government to provide it, or pay for it. All we are asking is that they let it through.

Just flip the switch.

Technology in Prisons Settings Consultation Report LaunchBy CJC team / August 26, 2026 Consultation Report LaunchDownload the Technology in Prisons Settings Consultation ReportThe Community Justice Coalition (CJC) has been negotiating and advocating for prisoners to have computers in their cells for...

21/05/2026

Australia Shamed with Prison Failure

Australia was shamed before an international audience of the world’s leading prison administrators. They were told that Australia has the worst recidivism rate in the world at 54.9%,
https://www.communityjusticecoalition.org/report-morocco-technology-conference/ p. 3.

President of Community Justice Coalition, Hon John Dowd AO KC said that this is not surprising as most prisoners are left feeling hopeless and helpless with no access to essential services such as education and counselling through telecommunications in cells where they are most of the time.

The UN and Red Cross launched their Technology in Prisons Handbook at the ICPA conference in Morocco. It supports telecommunication into cells with access to outside services. Access to education alone reduces recidivism by 43% and opens up a positive future, but the online services have not yet been turned on said Mr Dowd.

-See the link below to read the Handbook.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/PPR/2600927E-HB_on_the_Use_of_Technology_in_Prison_Settings-accessible.pdf

-See the link below to read CJC Media Release. https://www.einpresswire.com/.../australia-worst-prison

-About us
https://justiceaction.org.au/

07/04/2026

While attempting to conduct an initial inspection of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre on the 5th of April, members of JA were quickly stopped.

Two guards who had been lying on the ground, presumably not on duty, jumped up and advanced on us (see video: https://youtube.com/shorts/hvbDI1Jjzp8). We proposed a quick walk around the visibly empty outside of the centre onto the grass but were swiftly rejected, the guards tense.

The tension and empty outdoor space observed aligns with the findings of the most recent official report. Many young people were confined to their cells, with outdoor and communal spaces largely vacant, causing many to express frustration, angst, tension and downbeat sentiments. This raises concerns on the centre’s focus on containment over dynamic security and rehabilitation.

We explained our focus on introducing computers into cells for Bimberi and were keen to work with them, providing our card and establishing an amiable rapport. We then left, taking a photo of our banner out the front as a commitment to improving the situation for the children inside.

24/03/2026

Youth Justice Minister Jihad Dib tries telling Parliament we “CAN’T AFFORD” to give children isolated in cells tablets where they can get education, counselling and social connection, even though they’re spending $1.17 MILLION A YEAR on each child. Watch him: https://youtu.be/VtYKRMC246E?si=F7OGBi_AQuab355F
Yet they’ve found the money for adult prisoners, on only $140 000 a year. So while adult prisoners are resourced, kids are left to ROT. What on earth are they spending our money on and what are we getting for it?
More info:https://www.communityjusticecoalition.org/2026/03/23/elementor-3716/

Youth Justice Minister Jihad Dib tries telling Parliament we “CAN’T AFFORD” to give children isolated in cells tablets where they can get education, counsell...

24/03/2026

Youth Justice Minister Jihad Dib tries telling NSW Parliament we “CAN’T AFFORD” to give children isolated in cells tablets where they can get education, counselling and social connection, even though they’re spending $1.17 MILLION A YEAR on each child.
Yet they’ve found the money for adult prisoners, on only $140,000 a year. So while adult prisoners are resourced, kids are left to ROT. What on earth are they spending our money on and what are we getting for it? More info: https://www.communityjusticecoalition.org/2026/03/23/elementor-3716/

https://youtu.be/VtYKRMC246E?si=FcGii5fVENrMGoNo

16/12/2025

Inspector Condemns Long Bay Prison

The Inspector of Custodial Services found the infrastructure of MSPC and LBH 2 to be ‘dilapidated, unsafe, and not fit for purpose’ and ‘incapable of providing safe and humane conditions’ and recommended these facilities be permanently closed.

The prison harms vulnerable people held within it by failing to meet the legally mandated minimum time for open-air access. It also subjects them to unsanitary and unsafe conditions and forces them to endure the longest periods of isolation of any prison in Australia.

Justice Action states that there is no need for a new prison built in a remote location, far from family and support networks. Instead, we believe what is needed is a new governor and significant improvements to the conditions and social culture at Long Bay.

Read the full Media Report ➡️
fil:///Users/ja12/Downloads/Long_Bay_report_media_release%20-%204DEC25.pdf

Read the full Inspection of the Long Bay Correctional Complex Report ➡️
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tp/files/192556/Inspection%20of%20the%20Long%20Bay%20Correctional%20Complex%202023-24_FINAL.pdf

Watch our ABC News Segment on 12/12/25 ➡️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlFEXzPtlo8

16/12/2025

SUZETTE'S LESSON: PRISONER COMMUNITY CONTROL OF PRISONER SERVICES

In honour of the life and work of Suzette Broderick, we call for organisations servicing prisoners to have a majority of Board members and staff being former prisoners.

More information about Suzette can be found on our website: https://justiceaction.org.au/suzettes-lesson-community-control/

16/12/2025

UN CONDEMNS PRISON CONDITIONS: NT REFUSED ACCESS FOR SURVEY

Australia’s criminal justice system contains safeguards against arbitrary detention, yet serious concerns persist over the incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, children, and migrants, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention outlined on 12 December 2025.

“The gross overrepresentation of First Nations peoples in the prison population, the shocking detention of children as young as 10, and the punitive approach to migrants are human rights crises that continue to plague Australia,” the Working Group said in a statement concluding an official visit to Australia.

“42% of prisoners are unsentenced, and many are kept in detention due to disadvantage from discriminatory practices, homelessness and social conditions rather than risk to the community,” the experts said.

The Working Group noted that the minimum age of criminal responsibility was 10 years old in several jurisdictions in the country.

“Keeping children as young as 10 in adult prisons is inhumane,” the experts said.

The experts regret that they were denied access to detention facilities in the Northern Territory and to youth detention facilities in Western Australia. This undermined the Working Group’s mandate and prevented the wider public in Australia from hearing concerns from these regions.

Criticising Australia’s default use of migration detention, the experts said irregular entry to a country should not automatically lead to detention.

Chronic staff shortages result in prolonged solitary confinement in many Australian facilities, with prisoners denied access to fresh air, programmes, and legal consultations.

The Working Group nonetheless noted that Australia has many robust procedural protections in place to limit arbitrary detention and widespread provision of legal aid for persons detained, including a 24/7 legal advice service for First Nations people and justice reinvestment initiatives like Maranguka and specialist Indigenous sentencing courts.

“These are positive measures, but urgent action is needed to address the overincarceration of Indigenous peoples, the detention and mistreatment of children, and mandatory migration detention,” the experts said.

To call for change, email the Federal Attorney-General at [email protected]

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/12/australia-un-working-group-raises-major-concerns-about-detention-indigenous

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-13/united-nations-warn-australia-prison-detention-human-rights/106136950

https://ruleoflawaustralia.com.au/commentary/damning-coroners-report-reveals-how-youth-justice-system-needs-overhaul/

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/statements/20251212-eom-stm-australia-wg-arbitrary-detention-en.pdf

11/12/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

"NSW Ministers march to end domestic violence, yet continue to block the implementation of the very counselling services that would prevent it in significant areas of concern. They joined the annual Step Out and Speak Out Walk, launching the global 16 Days of activism, but this means little when taxpayer-funded solutions remain inaccessible to prisoners charged with DV offences, ” said the Honourable John Dowd AO KC, President of the Community Justice Coalition.

“Domestic Violence Minister, Jodie Harrison, heard the Deputy Corrections Commissioner acknowledge that internal counselling faces a conflict of interest and agree to facilitate external providers. Despite DV offenders being 30% of total remand prisoners, they still do not have access to external counselling through the computer tablets in cells. CSNSW agreed in 2018 to install computer tablets in prison cells to enable external domestic counselling, funded by a $42 million investment in 2019. However, external services have still not been introduced,” said Deputy President, Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans.

“External DV counselling has wide political support, including from the DV Minister, Shadow Minister Natasha Maclaren-Jones, Deputy Whip Cameron Murphy, and crossbenchers, Greens Abigail Boyd and Alex Greenwich. Corrections Minister, Anoulack Chanthivong agrees in principle, and, following a national and international consultation about his concerns, I have shown him a clear pathway forward in a recent letter,” said Mr Dowd.

“The Community Justice Coalition’s Cost of Inaction paper (2017) estimated that more than 500 women and children each year ‘could have been spared the traumatic effects of domestic violence’ had online counselling been available. External services overcome the conflict-of-interest issue, aligning with the ‘4 E’s Concept’. This model ensures that Effective trusted counselling is Efficiently delivered using funded mainstream services, and continues to Exist for the offender beyond release while further supporting their Emotional needs to feel part of the mainstream community,” said Dr Chesterfield-Evans.

Full report can be found here: https://www.communityjusticecoalition.org/2025/12/11/media-release-marching-against-violence-while-ignoring-the-solution/