Harmful and costly prisons ‘failing to reduce crime’
South Australia's incarceration rate jumped by almost a third in the past decade, leading advocates to call for a rethink on the role of prisons in society.
prison
Three men escape from Queensland prison
The search is on for three men who escaped from a prison in north Queensland.
‘Unlikely prisoner’ tells remarkable story of survival
Australian economist Sean Turnell became an unlikely prisoner when convicted of being a spy by the Myanmar military but optimism kept hopes of freedom alive.
Two men on the run after escaping prison
Authorities are searching for two men who absconded from a correctional centre in Townsville on Sunday.
Hundreds rally after Indigenous teen’s death in custody
Hundreds of people have gathered to call for justice after the death of an Indigenous teen who self-harmed in the youth wing of an adult prison.
‘Our boy deserved a future’: Indigenous teen’s family
The death of an Indigenous teenager in a prison cell has been described as preventable, as pressure mounts to close the controversial high-security facility.
Man who decapitated teen blocked from seeking parole
James Patrick Roughan who stabbed and decapitated a 17-year-old boy has unsuccessfully sought release on parole after 15 years in prison.
‘Disturbing’ lockdown trend at youth detention centre
Tasmania's custodial inspector has a described disturbing and unprecedented lockdowns at the state youth detention facility.
Indigenous boy fighting for life after custody incident
A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Unit 18 detention facility in Western Australia.
‘I can’t breathe’: family demands spit hood ban
Before she died in custody Selesa Tafaifa was pleading for her asthma medication and crying out 'I can't breathe', an inquest into her death heard.
Backpacker rapist to remain in jail indefinitely
A man who lured a German backpacker to a farm with a fake job advert then restrained, drugged and raped her has had his jail term extended indefinitely.
Drone loaded with drugs ‘crashed’ during prison flight
Two prisoners and a parolee hatched a plan to attempt a drone delivery to the exercise yard of drugs and a USB drive full of adult entertainment.
Rights chief pans delay in releasing UN report on jails
A confidential UN report on conditions inside Australian jails and detention centres must be released by the government, the human rights commissioner says.
Accused ACT murderer admits burglary but not killing
A Melbourne man will be extradited to the ACT in policy custody to face justice over the murder of Irma Palasics almost 24 years ago.
‘Disgusting’ killed teen’s family cry as boy acquitted
Family and supporters of murdered 16-year-old Declan Cutler have screamed out in a Melbourne court room as one of eight boys was acquitted of his murder.
Teen killers jailed for ‘absolutely shocking’ attack
A boy who murdered Declan Cutler in a "frenzied, savage" group attack outside a house party will spend at least a decade in prison for the killing.
Family of slain grandmother ‘powerless and voiceless’
The family of a grandmother who was killed and thrown down a mine shaft have wept in court as her killer was jailed for at least seven years.
Man wins $300k payout after suing judge over jailing
A judge will be personally liable for part of a man's $300,000 compensation payout after he wrongly jailed a man during divorce proceedings.
Child detention changes labelled Qld’s ‘darkest hours’
The Palaszczuk government has defended new laws allowing watch houses and adult prisons to be used as youth detention centres.
Bail reforms set to keep more Victorians out of jail
The Victorian government will introduce long-awaited reforms to make it easier for low-level offenders to get bail and cut down on people on remand.
More time for inmate who smuggled drugs into prison
A man has been sentenced to more jail time over a scheme to conceal pure methamphetamine and another drug being on a prison visitor's body.
Inquiry to examine how prison guard could rape inmates
An inquiry will examine how Wayne Astill was able to rape and assault several women prisoners during the decade he worked at a jail in Sydney's west.
Man who dumped girlfriend in bin jailed for 28 years
Joon Seong Tan will spend up to 28 years behind bars for stabbing his girlfriend and covering up his crime by disposing of her body in a wheelie bin.
Slave keeper jail time increased for contacting victim
A woman in prison for keeping a Tamil woman as a slave has had her jail term increased for trying to stop her victim giving evidence against her.
Board rejects parole for killer Rodney Michael Cherry
Convicted killer Rodney Michael Cherry will remain behind bars after Queensland's parole board denied his application for freedom.
Family of murdered mother stare down ‘evil’ husband
The family of a woman strangled to death by her husband have stared down her "evil" killer in court, as it's revealed he took photos of her lifeless body.
Families of serial killer victims sway parole reforms
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged parole law changes as he apologises for the handling of an application by serial killer Paul Denyer.
Imprisoned pilot’s human rights breached, family claims
The operator of a NSW prison denies it is holding former US military pilot Dan Duggan in solitary confinement as alleged by his family.
Indigenous communities put their hands up for justice
The federal government is moving forward on its commitment to fund justice reinvestment to help reduce the number of Indigenous people in jail.
‘Terrifying’ Merri Creek rapist jailed for 20 years
Violent serial rapist Joel Russo will be locked up for at least 17 years for his horrendous sex attack on a woman he tried to drown at Melbourne's Merri Creek.
Jubilation as free Folbigg walks ‘into the sunshine’
Supporters of Kathleen Folbigg say justice has been done, with her pardon and release following two decades in jail over the deaths of her four children.