Tag: Criminal Justice Reform
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Victoria’s Youth Justice Overhaul: Could Children as Young as 14 Face Life for Violent Crimes?
Introduction: A sweeping shift in Victoria’s youth justice policy The Victorian government is poised to overhaul its youth justice system, introducing measures that would allow children as young as 14 to be imprisoned for life in certain violent crime scenarios. The reform package, announced amid rising violent crime concerns, signals a move away from traditional…
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Victorian Youth Justice Overhaul: Allowing 14-Year-Olds to Be Tried as Adults for Violent Crimes
Policy Shift Targets Rising Violence Victoria is moving toward a significant overhaul of its youth justice system in response to increasing violent crime rates. The proposed changes could allow courts to determine that some offenders as young as 14 face adult-time penalties for violent offenses, marking a notable departure from traditional approaches to juvenile justice.…
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Mistaken Prisoner Release 2024: Two Still At Large
Overview Two prisoners who were freed by mistake in 2024 remain unaccounted for, and a separate incident in June 2025 saw two additional inmates released in error who have not been found. The BBC and other authorities are continuing to pursue leads and review procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. These cases highlight…
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Prison guard accused of sexual relationship with convict in Coldingley jeweller’s robbery case
Overview of the case A prison guard, identified in reports as Isabelle Dale, faces allegations of engaging in a sexual relationship with Shahid Sharif, a convicted robber held at HMP Coldingley. Sharif was jailed for his involvement in a sickening jewel robbery, and the case has drawn scrutiny to the conduct of staff at the…
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Victoria’s Forensic Hospital Dilemma: A Safer Unit Waiting, While One Patient Remains Shackled
Crucial Gap Between Readiness and Action in Victoria’s Forensic Care Victoria faces a troubling disconnect: a state-of-the-art forensic hospital unit is prepared and waiting, yet a violent, mentally unwell patient remains shackled and isolated. The County Court’s recent proceedings highlighted a systemic delay that keeps a person who could benefit from humane, specialized care confined…
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Expert Calls for Broad Inquiry Into Science of Shaken Baby Syndrome
Introduction: A call for a broader look at shaken baby syndrome science When a man spent nearly six years in jail for allegedly shaking his baby, new medical revelations about the child’s health have sparked renewed debates over the science behind shaken baby syndrome (SBS). An expert-led call for a broad inquiry into the conditions,…
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LGUs Donate Lands for Regional Prison Facilities, BuCor Plans Move Forward
Land donations bolster BuCor’s regional prison vision In a significant move to reform the correctional system, two local government units have donated land to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for the development of regional prison facilities. BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. announced the donations, highlighting a strategic shift toward more humane, rehabilitative…
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Indigenous Deaths in Custody in NSW: A Disturbing Milestone
Record Indigenous deaths in custody in NSW sparks urgent scrutiny New South Wales has recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody in a single year, a development described as a profound and distressing milestone by NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan. By the latest tallies, 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died…
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Daniel Senecal: Early Release Raises Concerns After New Arrest
Introduction The case of Daniel Senecal, who was recently arrested for the sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Welland, Ontario, has drawn significant public attention. This troubling incident comes just months after he was released early from prison following a conviction for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy. The circumstances surrounding his release…