One of the “most significant reports” ever released by Victoria’s Office of the Public Advocate will recommend that every person entering Australian prisons be screened for cognitive disabilities – a move it says will trigger support for thousands of at-risk people, reduce recidivism rates and, ultimately, change the justice system forever.

It is one of 25 recommendations contained in Decision Time: Activating the rights of adults with cognitive disability, which has been three years in the making and would, if implemented by state and Commonwealth governments, make Australia the “gold standard” for disability rights internationally, Public Advocate Dr Colleen Pearce said.

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