IASIO (Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities)’s Post

TN 2nd chance act---SAVE one state at the time Did anyone currently working on TN related to 2nd chance act? Recently we have reached some of TN organizations like My brother's keeper. We are looking forward to setting up round table discussion with any TN 2nd chance act group. One of our current active cases are parole from one of local adult prison as he has been rejected twice. Due to legal issue to set up a tutor program inside the prison so we would need to find if any other prison has successfully set it up. We are trying to create a model to solve 10 million populations' problems. Each one of them represent a problem from a household. Therefore, there are 10 million family household needed to have program to be addressed. In addition, we also are looking for a TN youth group that has successful mentor program that could work on future DOJ grant. Currently DOJ grant just out for community violent program. Based on my sources one of TN cities are dealing with 600k trouble teen per year. 600k household would need not only the program but also a mentor for each kid. We have an idea how these problems can be solved, but we need local resources to make it possible. If you are in TN, please reach out to me. If you are not in TN, we welcome you to join partnership by sharing your experiences. There will be a round table discussion setting up in Skype conference hosted by our partner later. Hopefully you can join us. #2ndchance #TN #correction

The UK justice system is firefighting on multiple fronts. Eroding public safety, #CourtBacklogs exceeding 400,000 together with a record-high prison population paint a concerning picture. The Labour Party's 2024 manifesto echoes this concern, pledging to restore #NeighbourhoodPolicing, prioritise #VictimSupport, and utilise technology for a more efficient system. Make Time Count supports these goals, offering a three-pronged approach: 💻Developing and utilising innovative technology. 🤝Empowering victims and Police to use out of court resolutions for low level crimes. 🏬Leveraging the wonderful community organisations to create collaborative community justice partnerships. We stand ready to partner with the new Labour government to deliver a more just and secure future: https://lnkd.in/ekxTE-qP #FutureOfJustice #CommunityJustice #BreakTheCycle #JusticeInnovation

I've just finished reading the "Young Queenslanders Strategy" report. I love it. I am genuinely impressed by its comprehensive approach to empowering our youth, beautiful artwork and some core much needed voices included. Key Highlights: - Strong focus on co-design with young people - Emphasis on cultural responsiveness - Holistic view of youth development But...I know another but... I can't help but wonder if we're overlooking our most vulnerable young Queenslanders. The ones often labeled as "troublemakers" or "lost causes" in what media sensationally calls a "youth crime crisis." Did you know? - It costs $2,321 per day to keep a young person in detention in Queensland - 85% of young people return to the justice system within 12 months of release Indigenous youth make up 69% of those in detention, despite being only 8% of the population Imagine the impact we could have if we extended the strategy's excellent principles to our most marginalised youth. We might just turn this "crisis" into an opportunity for transformative change. Imagine if we invested in community-based support instead of detention, saving millions while giving young people a real chance at positive change. Imagine a Queensland where every adult understood childhood trauma, meeting kids halfway with empathy instead of punishment. Imagine if we saw every young person in conflict with the law as a future leader waiting to be empowered, not a problem to be solved. Imagine transforming our youth detention centres into hubs of learning, healing, and skill-building, preparing young people for success instead of recidivism. Imagine if we redirected just a fraction of our police and detention budget into early intervention programs, preventing youth crime before it starts. Imagine a justice system that prioritised restoration over retribution, helping young people make amends and find their place in the community. Imagine if we equipped every young person leaving detention with a personalised support plan, a mentor, and real opportunities for education and employment. Imagine if we treated substance abuse among youth as a health issue rather than a criminal one, offering support instead of stigma. Imagine a Queensland where every young person, regardless of their background or past mistakes, had a clear pathway to a bright future. Imagine a Queensland where every young person, regardless of their past, is seen not as a statistic, but as a story of potential waiting to be written – where we invest in their dreams, not their detention, and where our shared future is brighter because we believed in the power of second chances.

As finanical aid is reinstated for incarcerated individuals, re-entry support is crucial for a successful transition to the outside. When successful, communities are restored, families are reunited, and people who work hard for a better future gain self-efficacy. In this article, learn about the journey of re-entry through the lens of Amber Galvan and Brandon Warren via Lee College’s Higher Ed in Prison program. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gsFdgyzh

C-V Solutions navigates the emerging Impact Economy alongside other social enterprises around the nation and world, organizations that prioritize social and community returns over conventional financial profit. But many (if not most) industries and companies still operate using an entirely different, profit-centered, model. Check out this informative read from Impact Entrepreneur's Andrea Longton, CFA, about the conflict of profit/social impact interest in private prisons around the country. "While increased incarceration rates may be good for profitability, a single-minded focus on profit maximization yields a terrible effect on social justice in America. " We have the power to vote and influence with our dollars, and choose the industries and companies we want to support or help dismantle. https://lnkd.in/gCWueSHq

Three recommendations in our report on young women’s education in prison: 1️⃣ Tailored, gender-informed support and provision 2️⃣ Increased use of ROTL to access education and work 3️⃣ Data collected on young women’s educational needs and progress

Washington’s Department of Children and Youth Services has declared a “detoriating and dangerous situation” at its Green Hill youth detention facility. I believe this. Below is an op-ed from the Seattle Times in January about the state’s detention facility Green Hill. It’s spot on. Now the Department has announced it is refusing all new placements for juveniles in any of its facilities. If I were in media or a position of relative authority (which I am not), I’d demand immediate access to Green Hill and an explanation of what is happening there. There are clear indications of a crisis: 1. The Department acts and talks as if there is a crisis; 2. The Department provided zero heads up to its partners about its decision to halt admissions; 3. The Department announced the decision on a Friday afternoon the day after July 4th; 4. There is a long history of trouble at the facility. As the Department explains “JR serves youth up to 25 years old who are committed to juvenile custody by a court. Since the ‘JR to 25’ legislation was passed in 2018, the population is older, has longer sentences, has more connections with gangs, and has a greater history of criminality.” Given the detoriating and dangerous situation, and given Green Hill’s older population, I would especially want details about the safety and health of the minors in its care (the average age at these facilities is 19.5 years). There is no sugar coating this. https://lnkd.in/gUZW_P4Q

At ACSO, we are dedicated to promoting rehabilitation and advocating for prison as a last resort, especially for young people. Extensive evidence suggests that deeper involvement with the justice system often leads to adverse outcomes for youth and fails to effectively prevent criminal behaviour. While we acknowledge the Victorian Government's efforts to address youth justice issues, we are concerned about recent decisions to delay raising the age of criminal responsibility and to implement stricter bail laws. These measures risk increasing the number of young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, who become entangled in the justice system. In 2022, we launched a youth mentoring program in NSW called BOOST, designed for young people aged 14 to 17 who have breached or are at risk of breaching an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), often marking their first interaction with the justice system. This early intervention program has shown promise in addressing the root causes of violent behaviours. You can read about the evaluation of this program here: https://lnkd.in/gn-KNyq6 We’re passionate about advocating for the increase in the age of criminal responsibility and we wrote a position paper, which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/gzGEmsVy Although there are promising elements in the new Youth Justice Bill 2024, particularly regarding more effective diversion programs, we believe that revisiting the age of criminal responsibility and re-evaluating the recent changes to bail laws are crucial steps toward better outcomes for young people and the wider community.   Read more about the Victorian Government's announcement here: https://lnkd.in/g3YRQTJG #YouthJustice #RaiseTheAge #CriminalJusticeReform Justice Reform Initiative #YouthAdvocacy #JusticeReform #Rehabilitation #EarlyIntervention

Young women in the criminal justice system often have complex needs that are left unaddressed by the criminal justice system. This can make it incredibly challenging to engage with prison education programmes. It's crucial that we develop a young women's strategy so that every young women receives tailored, gender-responsive support and can embrace the value of education. More on this in PET's illuminating report below.

What if the real solutions to youth crime already exist within our communities? The Queensland government just announced a $50 million commitment to find the best youth crime solutions globally—but we don’t need to look far. Community-led approaches like justice reinvestment and Indigenous-led solutions are already reducing crime and empowering young people through cultural connection and support, not punishment. 🔑 The big question: Why are governments doubling down on punitive policies that don’t work when the answers are right in front of us? 🔎 In the latest blog, I explore how community-driven solutions are the future of youth justice and how empowering local leadership is key to breaking cycles of incarceration. It’s time to shift the focus from punishment to healing. Read the full blog here and join the conversation. https://lnkd.in/gK5QsUPy