Entries by category: Law Reform in Action, Prisoners

LIAC recently published Hot Topics 67: Prisoners, written by David Brown.  This outlines the background and current environment of prisons, including prison populations, prisoners' legal issues and rights, as well as relevant international law and overseas comparisons. It also includes case studies, and some details on prison life in NSW. You will find this Hot Topic in your local Public Library and in your school library, if it has a subscription. 

One of the issues explored in this Hot Topic is whether prisoners have the right to vote.  The Howard government attempted to change the legislation to stop anyone in prison from voting. The present legislation permits those in prison for less than three years to vote. One Indigenous woman, imprisoned for more than three years decided to challenge this new legislation in the High Court and she won. You can read this decision on Austlii.

Vicki Roach gave her first interview since being released from prison to the Law Report recently. The interview raises the issue clearly and explains what her actions achieved.