Justice Action

About

Justice Action (JA) is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Sydney, Australia. Justice Action focuses on abuses of authority in the criminal justice and mental health systems in Australia.

In addition to its work in defending human rights, JA gives voice to the marginalised 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.

What kind of work?

JA aims to improve the social and mental health of prisoners and involuntary patients by providing prisoner, mental health and court support. It also engages in policy development, initiates campaigns and liaises with stakeholders.

JA comprises prisoners, victims, families, students, lawyers, judges, members of parliament, the media and others who contribute their skills, knowledge, talents and support to redress the injustices of the judicial system.

Location

Sydney

Student Opportunities

Interns perform an important role in Justice Action. They engage with lawyers, judges, and even the prisoners, victims and families themselves with the aim of providing a forum for people whose lives have been affected by the justice system in Australia.

Interns are accepted on a rolling basis. You can contact Justice Action directly via this link: https://www.justiceaction.org.au/contact-us/get-involved

Fun Fact / Recent Project

Just Us: The Voice of People in Prisons and Hospitals Just Us is a newspaper for people in the prison and mental health systems in Australia and New Zealand to help them make informed decisions in state and federal elections. Just Us is the only newspaper in Australia that is distributed to prisons and locked hospitals, as well as to judges, magistrates and Members of Parliament in every jurisdiction in Australia.

Many prisoners are enrolled and eligible to vote. They should have the right to fully participate in the electoral process and be informed about parties, policy and how election results will affect them. Just Us informs prisoners and patients of their rights and eligibility to vote, while also providing statements on policy positions from all political parties and many independents. The statements specifically target people in prison in order to enhance their political awareness and empower them to make a difference to their lives.

At the launch for the 2016 Edition, Aboriginal exprisoner John Harris explained that ‘Receiving the Just Us newspapers reminds prisoners that whilst we have lost our liberty doing our time - we have not lost our rights to our humanity and dignity’. Just Us published contributions from Electoral Commissions across Australia and New Zealand, as well as legal service providers and NGOs such as the Australian Red Cross, reminding voters of their right to vote and participate in the democratic process.