Published on 23 May, 2024
Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) has made a submission to the Inquiry into the Administration of Bail in the ACT by the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety.
Our submission asked that the ACT Government consider enhancement of Bail Support Plans to better support people with disability with precarious access to immediate and basic welfare needs such as income and housing.
We also noted that requirements to attend mandated programs can be problematic for people with disability where the mandated programs are not accessible or well supported. The requirement to attend the program can then become an unintended route back into justice interactions and penalties for people with disability.
AFI recommended that this Inquiry and the ACT Government focus attention on addressing issues with mandated attendance by people with disability at specific programs e.g. drug and alcohol, together with looking into issues with accessing and maintaining compliance with such programs.