http://www.nswccl.org.au/docs/pdf/CAT%20-%20Prisons.pdf

NCJRS Abstract - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Asha thanks for the links, only problem is the latter info is 20 years old 1988, and did you know we do NOT have super Max prisons in all of our states? Honestly our system here should not earn any brownie points, but i really i don't think we can compare apples to oranges. Our systems is so different to yours on so many levels. We have many gapping cracks that need to be fixed for sure, no question.
It is good to look at other countries and see how they run things, including the injustices in my own country. Did you know America at the moment is leading the way in Japan, and helping them(hands on) over haul their Judicial system? It is amazing to see what is taking place, real reform and hopefully a fairer system for everyone. It is amazing how other cultures deal with crime in society.

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If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

Of course. I know that one article is outdated but you will notice many endnotes there that our current from which they are gathering their information. You are more than welcome to find anything that is untrue or misleading of course. I would have been under the presumption, as you stated, working in the mental health care field in some capacity, you would be up to date on all of this?

Of course none of this information is meant to antagonize but simply inform. It appears your problems are quite serious and REQUIRE your citizens to take a closer look as to what is occurring under you very noses. We should ALL try to refrain from throwing stones so to speak. I was truly shocked by some of this information I discovered as I thought, as you did, that Australia and NZ were fairly unproblematic by comparison to the US. I noticed that was your thinking on your other post. Well, as you say, we learn a bit each day and we are here to help each other.

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

RACGP | Securing care for patients in prison

Introduction

Thought these links were also worth a look, but like you say Asha there is a lot of info out their, but i guess it matters not if those in society are not willing to stand up for the rights of others that have little or no voice.

Here in Australia the Federal budget has just been released by the Government. Overall the government will spend $4.5 billion for health care, with 22.7 percent more for mental Health. which can only be a good thing.

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If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

Prison Population and Overcrowding

"Prison overcrowding reflects two factors: the number of prisoners and the capacity of prisons. In most jurisdictions, the increase in prison capacity has not kept pace with the increase in prisoner numbers. For example, in Australia, most jurisdictions are expanding their prison capacity but overcrowding remains a problem."

Taken from your own article. Yes I agree. I also have here at least a dozen more articles but it hardly seems necessary. The point being that the US is clearly not the "evil empire" and of course, as you can see, Australia has its issues to contend with, primarily the abuse and unsatisfactory conditions of its mentally disabled, compromised or retarded prison inmates. Not to mention the issue that STILL remains a problem, the overwhelming disparage between your indigenous peoples behind bars and their abuse as compared with your white citizens. It is troubling.

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Asha, this might put things in perspective for you where Australian Prison system and those incarcerated stand. Then you may have a better understanding of my comments.

4512.0 - Corrective Services, Australia, Dec 2007

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If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

And hopefully this will help you.

Australia: A constitution lacking human rights gurantees is nothing to celebrate. - Amnesty International

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Asha, i can honestly say i understand your perception. What you have no knowledge of is these things you are bringing to the for front are very old. This one 8 years. That is not to say we are in anyway perfect and have come to a place where one can sit back and gloat about the acts of the people/government of one's country and those they imprison.
Australia has treated it's indigenous people horrendously over the course of it's history. We enslaved them, separated families, "stolen generation" even tried to breed the "black" out of them. I know our history well. But i also live here and i am aware of the changes we have been making over time to change and improve on that which we know was not only appalling treatment of those that belong to the land, but those who walked many years before us. We continue today to make amends, it is a work in progress. And i am happy to say that for all Indigenous Australians came a day of recognition by not only the people, by the government. It is called SORRY DAY. I am not ashamed to say i openly cried as did many Australians that understood the impact of the day. I don't expect you to understand when you are only reading off of facts, some that are misleading given the time frame and who produces them. All i have tried to do is give you a little more of a balanced look through what i see, know and experience first hand.

National Sorry Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The things you speak of Asha, have truth in some form. All i was trying to help you understand is how many people we really have here that are residing in Her Majesty's houses, or is it cells?

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If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

Smiley, one of the articles you posted does not even carry a date on it. Another was written by the folks in Australia that clearly have a vested interest in not portraying all facts in an unbiased light. I told you if ANYTHING I have posted is incorrect, than by all means, please highlight what is untrue or misleading in any way. You have not done so yet unless I missed it.

The point and why this thread was even begun was to demonstrate that the US is not this horrible, evil empire who seeks nothing other than to brutalize its own people. Clearly, Australia has its share of problems as noted. People in glass houses should not throw rocks.

I can in fact understand the horrendous mistreatment your country has inflicted on its indigenous peoples because MY country has done the same to its American Indians. Surely you are familiar, at least partly with the despicable acts perpetrated upon them?? Conditions have vastly improved but we still have amends to make and problems to solve as far as that tentative relationship is concerned. So I have a complete understanding of your "sorry day."

But it takes more than a day off from work and some lip service doesn’t it? It requires ACKNOWLEDGMENT and ongoing adherence to correct a problem and make good on your words as Australian citizens. Clearly it deserves more than holidays but steadfast resolve and appreciation of the magnitude of the problem(s) in your country with the mistreatment of both your mentally disabled inmates and your aborigines. I was attempting to bring some information to light that demonstrates the need for CHANGE within your own country. In many ways, your crisis is reaching a breaking point. Eventually "sorry days" just wont cut it.

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Sorry, cant edit here.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Aborigine child sex abuse 'rife'

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"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."