People in contact with the justice system
![Document](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worksheet%20.png?itok=NPPkN65Y)
This information is about the mental health of people in contact with the criminal justice system.
It has information on
![Council](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Council.png?itok=OVUR5QnJ)
- Key points for people in contact with the criminal justice system
![Worried person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worry.png?itok=M9OMq-lN)
- Worries you might have when getting help for your mental health and what you can do
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
- Services and supports
![Council](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Council.png?itok=OVUR5QnJ)
The criminal justice system includes
![Policeman](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Policeman%20.png?itok=1pn5Yjlv)
- Police
![Large council building. In front of the building is a document, police officer, and gavel. A gavel is the hammer used by the judge in court.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/courts_%282%29.png?itok=GKHncOOU)
- The courts
The courts are where people decide if someone has broken the law.
![Law](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Law.png?itok=FLnlmphq)
Laws are a set of rules that everyone must follow.
![Person in prison](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Prisons.png?itok=DhbnnwKd)
The criminal justice system also includes prisons.
Prisons are places where some people stay if they have broken the law.
![Council](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Council.png?itok=OVUR5QnJ)
If you communicate with the police or go to these places you are a person who has come into contact with the criminal justice system.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201_0.png?itok=Km_5tLKD)
To communicate is how you understand and share your feelings or information.
![Telling the police](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Tell%20police3.png?itok=dMqLffzs)
A person who has come into contact with the criminal justice system might not have committed a crime.
![Stealing from someone's bag](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Pickpocket%202.png?itok=H9KG6nDH)
Committing a crime means the person has broken the law.
![Council](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Council.png?itok=OVUR5QnJ)
A person can come into contact with the criminal justice system if they are a
- Victim
or
- Witness
![Policeman comforting a crying person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Crime%20Victim%201.png?itok=B_gWF67W)
A victim is someone who has had something bad happen to them because of a crime.
![Telling the police](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Tell%20police3.png?itok=dMqLffzs)
A witness is someone who saw or knew someone was breaking the law.
![Person upset](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Upset-7.png?itok=6t9I4pbn)
People with intellectual disability and the criminal justice system
People with intellectual disability can find the criminal justice system confusing.
![Person in prison](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Prisons.png?itok=DhbnnwKd)
This can mean people with intellectual disability might
- Go to prison more than people who have committed the same crime
![Person with their back turned](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Ignored_0.png?itok=v_0HpHrr)
- Be ignored if they have been a victim of a crime
![No support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Support%20crossed.png?itok=MKjaH6vL)
- Not have a support person with them
![Talking to an advocate](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/professional%20Advocate%20.png?itok=LEpcYzWQ)
People with intellectual disability can have a support person with them when they are in contact with the criminal justice system.
![Supporting someone to fill in a form](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Form%20Staff%20Support.png?itok=fptq_lbi)
A support person supports people with intellectual disability to
- Have all their rights met
- Fully participate in the processes of the criminal justice system
Rights are rules about how everybody should be treated fairly.
A right is something everyone has.
![Group of people getting bad news](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Bad%20News%20Meeting.png?itok=Y8bU68S1)
After leaving prison
People might have a tough time after they leave prison.
When they leave prison people with intellectual disability might not
![No support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Support%20crossed.png?itok=MKjaH6vL)
- Have the support they need
![No safe place](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/safe%20place%20crossed.png?itok=v9iTBPrv)
- Have a safe place to live
![Not cooking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Support%20daily%20activities%20crossed.png?itok=n5lCQcbl)
- Have support for their daily needs such as cooking
![No job](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Job%20crossed.png?itok=RA-3yGZd)
- Have support to find a job after they leave prison
![No mental health support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/mental%20health%20support%20crossed.png?itok=BbMCu8gN)
- Get support for their mental health problems
![Person pointing to themself](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/me.png?itok=MKZ3tSa8)
Mental health is about
- How you think
- How you feel
![Supporting person with mental illness](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/mental%20illness%20support.png?itok=mkRCDZzw)
A mental health problem is when your feelings start to worry you.
![No](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/No%204%20%281%29.png?itok=DokhkNRy)
Having the right supports helps people not break the law again.
![Worried person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worry.png?itok=M9OMq-lN)
Below are some worries you might have when you try to get support for your mental health.
![Idea](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Idea.png?itok=jlTl0xe5)
We include some ideas for what you can do.
![Person confused](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Confused.png?itok=CPZyT0J2)
You might not understand the criminal justice system
This is what you can do.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201_0.png?itok=Km_5tLKD)
Let the police or the court know how you want them to communicate with you.
Let them know if you do not understand.
![Legal advocate](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/legal%20advocate.png?itok=HZYqDMJ3)
Look for a justice advocate through the Justice Advocacy Service.
![Advocate talking to two people](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/advocate%20.png?itok=50JnaZfv)
An advocate is someone who helps you to speak up and get the support you need.
![Person working on a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work%20%281%29.png?itok=Dkyy5KpO)
For more information about advocacy go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
about-advocacy/ER
![Legal advocate](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/legal%20advocate.png?itok=HZYqDMJ3)
A justice advocate supports and assists people who are involved in the criminal justice system.
![No money](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/No%20money.jpg?itok=FzikaBY2)
A justice advocate who works at a Justice Advocacy Service is free.
![Supporting someone to fill in a form](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Form%20Staff%20Support.png?itok=fptq_lbi)
They can organise a support person for you.
![Person who knows](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/know.png?itok=pSwgKP-g)
A support person or a legal advocate can support you to
- Know what to expect will happen
![Help to fill in form](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/fill%20in%20form%20together.png?itok=IiRdpFGq)
- Fill in forms
![Young man with arms open, hands open with palms facing up.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Ryan%203.png?itok=ZNftjroZ)
- Understand how you should be treated
![Calm person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/calm%20.png?itok=0uLeajOU)
- Stay calm
![Next steps](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/next%20steps.png?itok=AyITZnm2)
- Understand what has happened
- Understand what will happen next
![Not listening to someone who is talking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Ignored.png?itok=UjPvf__n)
You are worried that people will treat you in a different way because you have intellectual disability
This is what you can do.
![Person giving advice](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Advice%20.png?itok=RK9l8kfI)
Let the people working in the criminal justice system know you have intellectual disability.
This is so they can get you the supports you need.
![Legal advocate](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/legal%20advocate.png?itok=HZYqDMJ3)
You can also get a justice advocate through the Justice Advocacy Service.
The advocate can make sure that your needs are met.
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
You need support after leaving prison
This is what you can do.
Corrective Services NSW has case managers for people in prison.
![Care co-ordinator](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Care%20Coordinator.png?itok=yZ-39nmN)
A case manager is a worker who helps you plan and organise
- Your care
- Other services you will get
![Plan](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Plan.png?itok=kczFz_Vn)
Case managers can help make a plan for when you
- Are in prison
- Leave prison
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20Work%203_0.png?itok=WNA48d9K)
The people and organisations who support you after you leave prison can follow the plan.
![What time and date](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/When_.png?itok=oasFtzlX)
You can also ask someone you trust to help you to manage your appointments.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20work.png?itok=FeHvPhZw)
There are many people you might trust.
For more information about who you might trust go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/someone-trust
![Support group](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/support%20group%20.png?itok=cczIX9uJ)
You can also find support at the Community Restorative Centre.
The Community Restorative Centre is a service that can help people who have left prison.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
For more information about the Community Restorative Centre go to https://www.crcnsw.org.au/get-help/
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
Below is a list of services and supports to support people in contact with the criminal justice system.
![Legal advocate](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/legal%20advocate.png?itok=HZYqDMJ3)
The Justice Advocacy Service is a free advocacy service.
For more information about the service go to https://idrs.org.au/jas/
![Supporting someone to fill in a form](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Form%20Staff%20Support.png?itok=fptq_lbi)
You can get an advocate or support person from the Justice Advocacy Service to support you.
![Person looking upset while talking to a health worker on the phone](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/ignorned%20by%20doctor%20.png?itok=6uqWNDwr)
The Community Restorative Centre has a free telephone information and referral service.
Call them on (02) 9288 8700 between 9am and 5pm.
![Person in prison](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Prisons.png?itok=DhbnnwKd)
The Community Restorative Centre also has services and programs that support people who have left prison.
![Screen capture of the Wordlist on the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect website.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Wordlist.png?itok=nAL2D_c3)
There are some tricky words on this Easy Read page.
For more information about these words go to