Prisoners and people in mental health facilities along the South Coast are being urged to consider how politicians stack up on issues that affect their lives and to vote.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"Your equal status as a voter and as an Australian gives you the right to information and the right to express yourself whilst inside," says a special publication being distributed to the 15,000 people in the state's prisons and hospitals.
The Just Action group has been in contact with all political parties and some independents to give them a chance to explain what they offer people in NSW prison and mental health systems and their families.
Group co-ordinator Brett Collins said the publication ensured information reached those voters who were totally controlled by the laws formed in Parliament.
He said prisoners and people in mental health facilities should fully participate in the electoral process.
"The issue includes a comparative table addressing how the political parties stack up in areas of particular significance to inmates and patients, namely the Bail Act, mandatory sentencing and mental health," he said.
Short statements from political parties outlining their position on a number of issues are included.
"For the first time, material for the publication has been supplied directly by Corrective Services," Mr Collins said.
"Prisoners on remand who make up 26 per cent of those held, those with less than 12-month sentences and mental health patients have the right to vote in the upcoming election."
In 2007 and 2011, Justice Action ran Supreme Court cases to get authorities to give people in institutions access to outside publications to make an informed vote, Mr Collins said.