Disability Justice Operational Forum
Social and Community Participation
Voices for Change member, Michael Mayne, inspired the theme for this round of talks at the Disability Justice Operational Forum: the value of friendship. The forum brings together government and community groups to talk about justice and disability. Voices for Change members having been sharing their ideas for improvement in the criminal justice system at the forum for the last 2 years
Michael talked about the importance of friendships upon release from jail
“I am living proof that you need a friend when you get out of jail. You need the support so you don’t end up back in jail“
“You hit a brick wall when you leave jail. No money, nowhere to live, no food to eat. You think you might as well get back on the merry-go-round of jail. I wouldn’t have survived without my friend at the time. A friend you can talk to, a friend you can rely on. Someone that can help you with setbacks. Someone that has my best interests at heart, not just my dole cheque“
“I am inspired by Father Bob Maguire who said when people exit jail they need three things: somewhere to live, a job and a friend. I just put a friend before a job because you need that support more than anything“
“Voices for Change saved my life. It gives me a good buzz. Better than taking drugs. This life is better than the life I was living before. It’s been nothing but great having this experience. It’s been the best. I’ve got a life now. I didn’t have one before“
