General
From jail to in-demand speaker: The disability royal commission hears Justen’s story

A First Nations man with cognitive disability has told a public inquiry his criminal record is like a “life sentence” that makes it hard to break the cycle of crime and move on with his life.
Key points:
- Justen Thomas was giving evidence this week as part of the disability royal commission’s examination of the criminal justice system
- The inquiry heard diversion programs are needed to keep people with cognitive disability out of courts and jails
- Mr Thomas, now in demand as a speaker and trainer, said he wanted his record pardoned so he could be “set free”
Now working as an advocate supporting others in the criminal justice system, Justen Thomas wants people with cognitive disability to be pardoned for their criminal past.
The…
Continue Reading
-
Noosa News14 hours ago
Man dies in Brisbane crash, women and girl rushed to hospital
-
Noosa News20 hours ago
Chilling new details emerge in terrifying childcare centre incident in Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast
-
Business19 hours ago
Are BHP shares are buy after its results?
-
General24 hours ago
Productivity summit ends day two with progress on rules changes to boost housing supply