The Greens say the Minns Labor Government is pushing through changes to bail and criminal laws that will result in more children being trapped in the criminal justice system and sent to jail. This is in defiance of the views of civil society, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and almost all contemporary evidence that shows sending young people to prison results in worse outcomes for both the child and society.

Yesterday the Department of Communities and Justice revealed in NSW Budget Estimate hearings, that the per day cost of keeping a person under 18 in prison is $2,700.

Kathleen Folbigg is set to be pardoned following a decision by the NSW Attorney General Michael Daley to grant her a release from prison.

The last 12 months have been marked by a new tactic taken towards nonviolent direct actions carried out in the defence of climate and the environment, which has seen jurisdictions, such as NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, dramatically escalate the punishments that apply to such protests.

Julian Assange has been locked away for 13 years. In that time he could have raised a baby to teenagerhood or done a medical degree, internship, residency, GP training, and had a year unleashed on the public under his belt. In that time he could have served three terms as the Australian Prime Minister.

How young is too young for a child to be imprisoned? The Red Cross says 10 is too young and wants to see the age raised to 14.

Regardless of the crime, many of those in the country’s jails are allowed visits from loved ones – a situation which promotes mental health on both sides of the bars.