JAS is an advocacy service providing support service to victims, witnesses and defendants with a cognitive impairment “which aims to facilitate the client’s ability to exercise their rights and participation in criminal justice processes”.

According to president of the NSW Law Society Juliana Warner, the $28 million investment into the service will build on current support measures offered by JAS and enable the group to provide “more targeted assistance for people with cognitive impairment accused of low level offences”.

“People with cognitive impairment are currently over-represented throughout the criminal justice system,” Ms Warner said.

“We commend the Government for investing in the JAS and providing greater support to people with a cognitive impairment.

“The announcement concerning new court based diversion services at Sydney’s Downing Centre, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Gosford and Lismore Local Courts is also a positive one and the Law Society looks forward to learning more details about what they will entail, when they become available.

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“I am particularly happy to see that the new diversion program will support people with a cognitive impairment who come into contact with the criminal justice system in regional NSW.

“Effective diversion requires offenders to engage with adequately resourced treatment and service providers. Diversion can benefit both the offender and the wider community by addressing the causes of offending and reducing offending behaviour, as well as reducing the costs of imprisonment and hospital readmissions.”