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NSW Law Society throws support behind $28m investment in Justice Advocacy Service
The Law Society of NSW has welcomed a new government initiative that helps people with a cognitive impairment navigate Australia’s criminal justice system.
Emma Musgrave
The NSW government has elected to extend funding for the Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) and has committed to a new court-based diversion program for people with a cognitive impairment.
According to president of the NSW Law Society Juliana Warner, the $28 million investment into the service will build on current support measures offered by JAS and enable the group to provide “more targeted assistance for people with cognitive impairment accused of low level offences”.
“People with cognitive impairment are currently over-represented throughout the criminal justice system,” Ms Warner said.
“We commend the Government for investing in the JAS and providing greater support to people with a cognitive impairment.
“The announcement concerning new court based diversion services at Sydney’s Downing Centre, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Gosford and Lismore Local Courts is also a positive one and the Law Society looks forward to learning more details about what they will entail, when they become available.
“I am particularly happy to see that the new diversion program will support people with a cognitive impairment who come into contact with the criminal justice system in regional NSW.
“Effective diversion requires offenders to engage with adequately resourced treatment and service providers. Diversion can benefit both the offender and the wider community by addressing the causes of offending and reducing offending behaviour, as well as reducing the costs of imprisonment and hospital readmissions.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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