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Victorian drug law reform recommendations are welcome – but must include prisoners
By Kate Seear, Carla Treloar, and Kari Lancaster The results of a major drug law inquiry were tabled in the Victorian parliament this week. The landmark final report contains 50 recommendations for reform to Victoria’s drug laws and policies. Many of the proposals for reform, if implemented, have the potential to improve social, economic and other outcomes…
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Ratification of the OPCAT – what will it mean for Australia?
Yesterday at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s annual NGO Forum, the Foreign Minister and Attorney-General announced that Australia would ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). What is it all about? The OPCAT is a treaty which…
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The human rights implications of smoking bans in prisons: some international cases
By Anita Mackay Australia’s two most populous States have recently implemented smoking bans in prisons (Victoria from 1 July and NSW from 10 August). In doing this they are joining the Northern Territory (where smoking was banned from 1 July 2013), Queensland (from 5 May 2014) and Risdon prison in Tasmania (from 31 January 2015).…
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Prisons, overcrowding and human rights
Radical changes to the parole regime in Victoria in 2013 led to a 96.2% increase in refusals of parole in one year.
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law 