Response to Justice Action newspaper

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Published on Wednesday, 21 August 2013 01:11

Australian Sex Party response to the Justice Action newspaper that goes to all prisoners in Australia.

The Sex Party is a party that formulates policy based on evidence and not on morality or what 'appears' to be right.  It is for this reason that we seek to legalise all recreational drugs and take them out of the criminal justice portfolio. We believe that drugs need to be treated as a medical or health issue. Everyone uses drugs. Politicians, judges, lawyers, police officers and prison officers are no different from anyone else. Whether they be pain killers, alcohol, heroin, coffee, marijuana or tobacco, we all use something to change mood and consciousness. Current drug policy is based on a 'my drug is superior to yours' attitude and not on evidence of harm.

The Sex Party believes that the focus of prisons and mental health institutions should be rehabilitation rather than punishment. We want more needle and syringe programs in prisons. Improved access to education in correctional centres and mental health facilities also needs to be provided as well as improved access to relevant treatment services in prisons and mental health care centres.

Channels of advocacy for individuals in prisons need to be improved as well as general conditions including food, visits and programs. We think there needs to be increased awareness regarding an individual's cultural background and an increase in culturally-appropriate services and programs. In this context we would like to see more awareness around women's issues and the need for special services for women and children.