Justice Support
You Connect has committed to supporting participants with convictions in an attempt to make a difference to the cycles of offending and reincarceration for people with a disability. Sadly, people with a disability are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and are a disadvantaged sub-population within the already disadvantaged prison population.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (current at December 2023) state that more than 2 in 5 young people and around 1 in 2 adults with sentenced custodial episodes were identified as people with disability. The disproportionate prevalence of people with disability within prisons highlights several risks and problems. First, many people are criminalised as a direct result of their impairment. Second, compared to other people in prison, people with disability are at an increased risk of social isolation; vulnerability to bullying, coercion, and violence. Third, they may experience negative attitudes or discrimination from prison staff due to a lack of disability awareness. These factors compound the barriers faced by people with disability within prisons that serve to compound and further punish their disability.
You Connect has formed a division who understands the justice system. Combining legal knowledge, work experience in the justice system, a human rights approach, a specialisation in the area of complex behaviours of concern, trauma informed care and crisis prevention, the division is able to provide supports to participants coming out of prison. Through the implementation of a post release plan by a strong stakeholder team, participants stand the best chance to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society with hope and success. A successful plan includes post-release accommodation, a source of income, the possibility of employment, and links with local community support services.
You Connect support participants suspected, accused, or convicted of committing a criminal offence. We also have supported the application for the NDIS for participants identified in the system as having a disability.
At You Connect we believe that restoration is best achieved through a healing approach.