Marginalisation and exclusion, including from school, increases a young person’s risk of getting involved with the criminal justice system. Two in three young people in Australian prisons had been suspended or expelled before their arrest – yet we know school provides the support, structure and purpose young people need to get their lives back on track after making bad decisions and becoming involved with the justice system.

School provides a pathway to rehabilitation. But how do we get young people on it?

School Not Prison is a free, interactive webinar for educators and people who work with at-risk young people, who want to gain the knowledge and practical tools needed to help young people re-engage with education.

We’ll hear first-hand from a student involved with the justice system, sharing his story of the support he needed after leaving youth detention. Following this conversation, we’ll hear short presentations and an interactive Q+A session with our expert panel.

Our panellists for this webinar are:

Paul Grant, former President, Children’s Court of Victoria
Laura Chipp, justice systems and policing expert
Kane Apelu, Manager – Housing Programs, Jesuit Social Services
John Andrew, Principal – Ignatius Learning Centre, Jesuit Social Services

Our panellists are highly experienced practitioners and experts in their fields. They’ll speak to:

The prosecution and sentencing process and how positive changes can be made to get young people back on track
The importance of education as a positive pathway to a more stable life away from crime
Engaging young people and forming relationships to support their education
Housing, family and community work needed to support young people to thrive
Practical examples of what’s working, and where to from here

About Worth A Second Chance

Worth A Second Chance is a community campaign from Jesuit Social Services fixing youth justice. We believe young people have the capacity to rehabilitate and change the course of their lives if given the support to do so, and see education as an important pathway away from crime. Learn more and join the campaign at worthasecondchance.com.au

Contact the host of School Not Prison: education as a pathway out of the justice system – a free webinar