Why should Jarryd Hayneâs crime against a woman get a lesser sentence than Cody Wardâs drug offences?
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Why should Jarryd Hayneâs crime against a woman get a lesser sentence than Cody Wardâs drug offences?
May 17, 2021 â 4.07pm
May 17, 2021 â 4.07pm
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There were two prison sentences in recent weeks that, when compared, give real pause for thought. The first of these was Jarryd Hayne, who was sentenced for two counts of sexual assault to five years and nine months with a minimum period of three years and eight months. He pleaded not guilty and was found guilty by a jury. Eloquently, the victim described the impact on her in these terms: âMy body remembers and my mind wonât let me forget.â
The analysis also noted the program to divert people with cognitive impairments out of the criminal justice system was in its “infant stage” and the figures were likely to improve, and some savings were not taken into account because they were difficult to quantify.
Mr Thomas explained his disability meant he had trouble making decisions.
He also has epilepsy and told the hearing that sometimes his medication would be taken from him in jail. It s always been a struggle to get back to society after being in prison, he said.
Things turned around when he met a lawyer from Shopfront Youth Legal Centre who would remind him when he needed to be in court and explain orders to him, commissioners were told.
He was last sent to prison in 2004 and said another lawyer from Intellectual Disability Rights Service helped waive the fines that had built up to about $8,000.
Cognitive Impairment Diversion Program: Program to divert cognitively impaired people from prison axed after limited cost-benefit analysis theage.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theage.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.