Marius Smith
@mariussmith.bsky.social
CEO of Vacro. We support people caught in the criminal justice system to create new beginnings for themselves and their families.
Reposted by Marius Smith
There's an 11year old girl sitting in adult cells in Perth lockup because she got caught shoplifting a drink and a pastry from Coles.worth less than $10
'7NEWS can reveal the Adelaide teen accused over a sickening attack on a homeless woman at Hawthorn is the son of prominent business leaders. The Youth Court has been told the former private schoolboy was already on bail at the time of the alleged assault which was filmed and posted online.'
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 AM
There's an 11year old girl sitting in adult cells in Perth lockup because she got caught shoplifting a drink and a pastry from Coles.worth less than $10
Reposted by Marius Smith
14,000 Palestinian babies may die in the next 48 hours. The UN has reported that lorries carrying baby food and nutritional supplies are at the Gaza border, but Israel is not allowing them to enter. How is it possible that no one has taken effective action to stop this?
May 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
14,000 Palestinian babies may die in the next 48 hours. The UN has reported that lorries carrying baby food and nutritional supplies are at the Gaza border, but Israel is not allowing them to enter. How is it possible that no one has taken effective action to stop this?
Reposted by Marius Smith
this is a letter to the editor from a high school track runner who came in second to a trans girl in a race. her state house rep in maine started talking about it. so she wrote this: www.pressherald.com/2025/05/14/r...
May 16, 2025 at 3:25 AM
this is a letter to the editor from a high school track runner who came in second to a trans girl in a race. her state house rep in maine started talking about it. so she wrote this: www.pressherald.com/2025/05/14/r...
Reposted by Marius Smith
At least 590 First Nations people have died in custody since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in Custody.
No one has ever been found criminally responsible for any of their deaths.
No one should die in prison.
nit.com.au/15-04-2025/1...
No one has ever been found criminally responsible for any of their deaths.
No one should die in prison.
nit.com.au/15-04-2025/1...
34 years after the Royal Commission, Indigenous deaths in custody continue to rise
34 years after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, First Nations people continue to be 'disproportionately represented' in Australia's prison system.Tuesday marked the 34th anniver...
nit.com.au
April 16, 2025 at 12:32 AM
At least 590 First Nations people have died in custody since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in Custody.
No one has ever been found criminally responsible for any of their deaths.
No one should die in prison.
nit.com.au/15-04-2025/1...
No one has ever been found criminally responsible for any of their deaths.
No one should die in prison.
nit.com.au/15-04-2025/1...
Reposted by Marius Smith
Can confirm. USAID's DARTs are being fully dismantled.
These are the legendary teams that fight famine, beat Ebola, rescue people after earthquakes.
They represent the very best of America in the world.
Elon Musk was once a builder. Now he just destroys.
This shameful nihilism will kill people.
These are the legendary teams that fight famine, beat Ebola, rescue people after earthquakes.
They represent the very best of America in the world.
Elon Musk was once a builder. Now he just destroys.
This shameful nihilism will kill people.
NEWS: I'm told about 160 personal service contractors were just terminated at USAID. All DC based but people who go abroad on assignments usually shepherding aid deliveries abroad.
March 22, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Can confirm. USAID's DARTs are being fully dismantled.
These are the legendary teams that fight famine, beat Ebola, rescue people after earthquakes.
They represent the very best of America in the world.
Elon Musk was once a builder. Now he just destroys.
This shameful nihilism will kill people.
These are the legendary teams that fight famine, beat Ebola, rescue people after earthquakes.
They represent the very best of America in the world.
Elon Musk was once a builder. Now he just destroys.
This shameful nihilism will kill people.
The current persecution of trans people in US prisons is horrific. Osita is right - it's a historic roll back of rights. And we can see politicians in Australia moving the same way. We have to stand against any attempted persecution of our trans community.
This is the most wretched campaign of deliberate, explicit persecution the United States has perpetrated against a minority group in decades. Many of the most important people in politics and journalism are busying themselves trying to figure out how little to say or do about it.
February 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The current persecution of trans people in US prisons is horrific. Osita is right - it's a historic roll back of rights. And we can see politicians in Australia moving the same way. We have to stand against any attempted persecution of our trans community.
Thank you, @zoedaniel.bsky.social. We must fight this wave of antisemitism, but mandating that we throw people in prison with no thought for how we can best ensure they don't offend again doesn't create the stronger community we want. Never has, never will.
Strong stance by @zoedaniel.bsky.social 👏
"Mandatory minimum sentences do not reflect good parliamentary practice or good governance. Nor do they respect the sanctity of Australia’s constitution and separation of powers, and the importance judicial independence."
"Mandatory minimum sentences do not reflect good parliamentary practice or good governance. Nor do they respect the sanctity of Australia’s constitution and separation of powers, and the importance judicial independence."
February 6, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Thank you, @zoedaniel.bsky.social. We must fight this wave of antisemitism, but mandating that we throw people in prison with no thought for how we can best ensure they don't offend again doesn't create the stronger community we want. Never has, never will.
Reposted by Marius Smith
BREAKING: We've just been told that the government's subsidy for phone calls from prison will come into effect from TOMORROW - 1 Feb 2025.
This is a huge win for our campaign and will change our participants' and their families' lives. But it's not over yet.
This is a huge win for our campaign and will change our participants' and their families' lives. But it's not over yet.
January 31, 2025 at 6:24 AM
BREAKING: We've just been told that the government's subsidy for phone calls from prison will come into effect from TOMORROW - 1 Feb 2025.
This is a huge win for our campaign and will change our participants' and their families' lives. But it's not over yet.
This is a huge win for our campaign and will change our participants' and their families' lives. But it's not over yet.
This is is a great result for people in prison and their loved ones in the community. Phone calls from prison will be more than 50% cheaper from tomorrow!
BREAKING: We've just been told that the government's subsidy for phone calls from prison will come into effect from TOMORROW - 1 Feb 2025.
This is a huge win for our campaign and will change our participants' and their families' lives. But it's not over yet.
This is a huge win for our campaign and will change our participants' and their families' lives. But it's not over yet.
January 31, 2025 at 6:48 AM
This is is a great result for people in prison and their loved ones in the community. Phone calls from prison will be more than 50% cheaper from tomorrow!
Reposted by Marius Smith
There is zero evidence writers festivals or arts events are linked to these attacks (obviously they are not?). For the SMH to just broadcast this specific, baseless allegation without even saying “by the way, police have no evidence to support these incendiary claims” is extremely poor.
January 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
There is zero evidence writers festivals or arts events are linked to these attacks (obviously they are not?). For the SMH to just broadcast this specific, baseless allegation without even saying “by the way, police have no evidence to support these incendiary claims” is extremely poor.
A great U.S. view on an issue that's a huge problem here too - remand (imprisoning people who haven't been convicted of a crime). "The purpose of pretrial detention...is to punish. The harm that I witnessed is not just some unfortunate by-product of our pretrial system. The harm is the point."
"The widespread use of pretrial detention is a relatively new phenomenon, and its expanded use was largely untethered from the problem of flight or public safety."
On coming to realise that the detention of legally innocent people pretrial (on remand) is indefensible: inquest.org/no-more-pret...
On coming to realise that the detention of legally innocent people pretrial (on remand) is indefensible: inquest.org/no-more-pret...
No More Pretrial Punishment | Justine Olderman | INQUEST
In my many years as a public defender, I accepted the legal rationales for pretrial detention. But I can’t anymore.
inquest.org
January 29, 2025 at 12:25 AM
A great U.S. view on an issue that's a huge problem here too - remand (imprisoning people who haven't been convicted of a crime). "The purpose of pretrial detention...is to punish. The harm that I witnessed is not just some unfortunate by-product of our pretrial system. The harm is the point."
Reposted by Marius Smith
"Prisons don’t create safer communities, so why is Australia spending billions on building them?" Institute Associate @blatmannaama.bsky.social co-authors a new article for The Conversation: bit.ly/PrisonsAustr...
January 28, 2025 at 1:50 AM
"Prisons don’t create safer communities, so why is Australia spending billions on building them?" Institute Associate @blatmannaama.bsky.social co-authors a new article for The Conversation: bit.ly/PrisonsAustr...
It was great to feel the solidarity of so many First Nations people and their allies at the Invasion Day rally in Naarm today. We must continue to fight for a just future for our First Nations people, often in the face of fierce opposition.
January 26, 2025 at 8:14 AM
It was great to feel the solidarity of so many First Nations people and their allies at the Invasion Day rally in Naarm today. We must continue to fight for a just future for our First Nations people, often in the face of fierce opposition.
This is one of the many horrifying things happening in the US right now. It will have devastating effects for trans people who already face persecution, dehumanisation and discrimination in prison.
Important story out today in @theappeal.org by the great @byadamrhodes.bsky.social theappeal.org/trump-execut...
‘People Will Die’ from Trump’s Trans Prisoner Crackdown, Experts Warn
Trump's executive order eliminating transgender rights in prison will hurt or kill trans prisoners, experts warn.
theappeal.org
January 23, 2025 at 6:14 AM
This is one of the many horrifying things happening in the US right now. It will have devastating effects for trans people who already face persecution, dehumanisation and discrimination in prison.
This piece by @emmakrussell.bsky.social and co. is so important. We know law and order policies fail, and we know what works: comprehensive reintegration services for those leaving prison; and investments in strong communities, which prevent people from going to prison in the first place.
"Instead of falsely positioning prisons as economic panaceas [that] create safety through punishment...govts need to direct funding towards the infrastructure that strengthens communities and enhances security for all: housing, healthcare, education, healthy environments and sustainable employment."
Prisons don’t create safer communities, so why is Australia spending billions on building them?
Research shows 37 new prisons have been built in Australia since 2000. But the evidence shows increased incarceration doesn’t help reduce crime.
theconversation.com
January 23, 2025 at 1:15 AM
This piece by @emmakrussell.bsky.social and co. is so important. We know law and order policies fail, and we know what works: comprehensive reintegration services for those leaving prison; and investments in strong communities, which prevent people from going to prison in the first place.
Well said by Max Kaiser.
Our EO Max Kaiser talked to Al Jazeera about Musk's salute.
January 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Well said by Max Kaiser.
This continued anti semitism is horrifying.
#BREAKING 🚨 Police say a childcare centre has been set alight and hit with anti-semitic graffiti in Maroubra in Sydney
News Corp reports the facility does not have direct connections to the Jewish community, although it is located close to a synagogue with a daycare centre
News Corp reports the facility does not have direct connections to the Jewish community, although it is located close to a synagogue with a daycare centre
January 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
This continued anti semitism is horrifying.
Reposted by Marius Smith
a functioning opposition party that represented the working class could spike this photo in the end zone basically forever
January 20, 2025 at 6:58 PM
a functioning opposition party that represented the working class could spike this photo in the end zone basically forever
Reposted by Marius Smith
The findings echo much of what our Lived Experience Panel members reported in their submission to the Inquiry into Women's Pain last year (www.vacro.org.au/Handlers/Dow...).
January 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The findings echo much of what our Lived Experience Panel members reported in their submission to the Inquiry into Women's Pain last year (www.vacro.org.au/Handlers/Dow...).
Reposted by Marius Smith
In this study of reproductive healthcare in a San Diego jail, women report:
🩺 failure to respond to multiple medical requests
🩺 inexperienced medical staff
🩺 dismissiveness, mistreatment, and punishment from staff
🩺 uncomfortable, unsafe practices
www.urban.org/research/pub...
🩺 failure to respond to multiple medical requests
🩺 inexperienced medical staff
🩺 dismissiveness, mistreatment, and punishment from staff
🩺 uncomfortable, unsafe practices
www.urban.org/research/pub...
Incarcerated People's Perceptions of Reproductive Health Care in a San Diego County Women's Jail
This study aimed to understand the state of reproductive health care access and quality in a jail in California after early stages of the implementation of Assembly Bill 732 (A.B. 732).
www.urban.org
January 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
In this study of reproductive healthcare in a San Diego jail, women report:
🩺 failure to respond to multiple medical requests
🩺 inexperienced medical staff
🩺 dismissiveness, mistreatment, and punishment from staff
🩺 uncomfortable, unsafe practices
www.urban.org/research/pub...
🩺 failure to respond to multiple medical requests
🩺 inexperienced medical staff
🩺 dismissiveness, mistreatment, and punishment from staff
🩺 uncomfortable, unsafe practices
www.urban.org/research/pub...
Reposted by Marius Smith
With Corrections Victoria recently announcing $8k sign-on bonuses for new prison officers (www.3aw.com.au/the-big-ince...) we want to strongly echo this sentiment: from Texas to Victoria, prisons cannot recruit and retain their way out of this staffing crisis! The only solution is to decarcerate! 🧵⬇️
It is tough to say this strongly enough: *Prisons cannot recruit and retain their way out of this staffing crisis.* The obvious solution - which is admittedly unpopular in this political moment - is to decarcerate and implement sentencing reform to reduce numbers. 1/6
#criminaljustice #corrections
#criminaljustice #corrections
Texas prisons are scrambling to fix a staffing crisis: 'Getting out of hand'
Texas corrections officers are driving long distances to cover shifts in remote areas as the Department of Criminal Justice copes with short-staffing issues.
www.houstonchronicle.com
January 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
With Corrections Victoria recently announcing $8k sign-on bonuses for new prison officers (www.3aw.com.au/the-big-ince...) we want to strongly echo this sentiment: from Texas to Victoria, prisons cannot recruit and retain their way out of this staffing crisis! The only solution is to decarcerate! 🧵⬇️
Reposted by Marius Smith
Why did sheriffs become such huge players in detaining immigrants if the feds are the ones arresting people?
Who is making money off of this?
What options do local governments have to resist detention efforts?
You asked, Bolts answers: boltsmag.org/the-pas...
Who is making money off of this?
What options do local governments have to resist detention efforts?
You asked, Bolts answers: boltsmag.org/the-pas...
The Past and Present of Immigration Detention: Your Questions Answered
A historian of migrant detention responds to questions from <em>Bolts</em> readers on the vast network of local lockups that jail immigrants, and how it
boltsmag.org
January 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Why did sheriffs become such huge players in detaining immigrants if the feds are the ones arresting people?
Who is making money off of this?
What options do local governments have to resist detention efforts?
You asked, Bolts answers: boltsmag.org/the-pas...
Who is making money off of this?
What options do local governments have to resist detention efforts?
You asked, Bolts answers: boltsmag.org/the-pas...