In the Spring 2020 edition of NorDocs an article headed 'Aboriginal offenders' impairment mitigates against custody' described a two-year-long neuropsychological project involving adult Aboriginal people in NSW charged with an offence. The study by Dr Robin Murray and Dr Molly Schafer found 72% of those brought before the courts had significant cognitive impairment, Further, almost 50% of cases were being diverted from custody when these findings were submitted to court at the time of their sentencing.
It is most welcome news that the NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman has announced the Berejiklian government's pledge of $28m to help cognitively impaired people navigate the legal system. This announcement was covered in this report by The Sydney Morning Herald - NSW pledges $28m to help cognitively impaired people navigate legal system
Message from the editor
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
