Computers in Cells Project
Donation protected
The ‘Computers in Cells’ initiative aims to ensure that every person in an Australian prison has access to a computer.
We need YOUR help to ensure that this campaign gains momentum. Every single donation counts in maintaining human rights in the hardest of places, and in giving people in prisons access to life-changing counselling, legal and educational services through computers in cells.
There is unanimous agreement (amongst teachers, government bodies and enforcement agencies) that increased access to education directly leads to a reduction in recidivism rates. This has benefits for both prisoners and society, some of which include:
1. Utilising the 18 hours prisoners spend in cells
2. Providing trusted counsellors through external sources
3. Offering stable service providers throughout the sentence and post-release
4. Promoting self-management
5. Providing statistically more effective counselling than face-to-face counselling
6. Costing cheaper than alternatives
This essential service is highly cost-effective at only $230,000 to install the infrastructure and $120,000 per year thereafter for a 600-cell prison. With so many positives, all that is left is to conduct a targeted campaign to push even more vigorously for the introduction of computers into cells.
Justice Action has submitted numerous proposals to the NSW government highlighting the benefits, despite which it has prevaricated without cause. In November 2015, the NSW government rejected our offer of a free pilot online counselling service on the grounds that 1) “involving mental health staff in counselling was the only means of intervention”, which is clearly wrong, and 2) it lacked the infrastructure to support online counselling at all its correctional centres. Yet in June 2016, it began a prison-building program costing $3.8 billion. This is clearly not a matter of funding restrictions but priorities.
The complete timeline and more information on the project can be viewed here: https://tinyurl.com/l2cj64f
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About Justice Action
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.
We need YOUR help to ensure that this campaign gains momentum. Every single donation counts in maintaining human rights in the hardest of places, and in giving people in prisons access to life-changing counselling, legal and educational services through computers in cells.
There is unanimous agreement (amongst teachers, government bodies and enforcement agencies) that increased access to education directly leads to a reduction in recidivism rates. This has benefits for both prisoners and society, some of which include:
1. Utilising the 18 hours prisoners spend in cells
2. Providing trusted counsellors through external sources
3. Offering stable service providers throughout the sentence and post-release
4. Promoting self-management
5. Providing statistically more effective counselling than face-to-face counselling
6. Costing cheaper than alternatives
This essential service is highly cost-effective at only $230,000 to install the infrastructure and $120,000 per year thereafter for a 600-cell prison. With so many positives, all that is left is to conduct a targeted campaign to push even more vigorously for the introduction of computers into cells.
Justice Action has submitted numerous proposals to the NSW government highlighting the benefits, despite which it has prevaricated without cause. In November 2015, the NSW government rejected our offer of a free pilot online counselling service on the grounds that 1) “involving mental health staff in counselling was the only means of intervention”, which is clearly wrong, and 2) it lacked the infrastructure to support online counselling at all its correctional centres. Yet in June 2016, it began a prison-building program costing $3.8 billion. This is clearly not a matter of funding restrictions but priorities.
The complete timeline and more information on the project can be viewed here: https://tinyurl.com/l2cj64f
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About Justice Action
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.
Organizer
JA InternPage
Organizer
Haymarket NSW
