UPDATE: In a shocking development, 24-year-old Jayden Conroy has opted to return to prison rather than face life outside with minimal support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). On September 15, 2024, Conroy, who has faced severe challenges related to his mental health, committed armed robbery to attract police attention, demonstrating the urgent failings of Australia’s disability support system.
Conroy, an Indigenous man, had spent a significant portion of his life in custody and was struggling to adapt to community living. Faced with only 11 hours of NDIS support per day, he resorted to desperate measures. Just two weeks before his crimes, he expressed to a forensic psychologist that he required constant supervision, stating, “I need someone telling me 24/7 how to live life.”
In a disturbing turn of events, Conroy used a knife to steal $125 from a taxi driver, which was described by the sentencing judge as “horrifying.” This was followed by a high-speed police chase through Sydney’s west after he stole $382 and cigarettes from a petrol station. Conroy’s actions were driven by his desire to return to an institutionalized life after enduring a traumatic past, including being stabbed **11 times** while in custody in January 2023.
The case spotlights a critical issue within the NDIS framework, as highlighted by federal opposition NDIS spokeswoman Anne Ruston, who stated, “This case highlights a broader issue where vulnerable Australians with complex and chronic mental health challenges are being failed by the system.” Recent data reveals that NDIS application approval rates for individuals with psychosocial disabilities have plummeted to only 25 percent.
Greens disability spokesperson Jordon Steele-John emphasized the consequences of underfunding in the current disability support system, stating, “This situation shows just how wide the cracks are when our justice, health, housing, and disability systems fail to work together.”
In a recent ruling, NSW District Court Judge Robert Montgomery acknowledged that Conroy’s moral culpability was diminished due to his circumstances. He noted that Conroy had not intended to harm the victims but was motivated by a need to escape the outside world and return to institutional life. The judge remarked, “Independent expert medical opinion evidence supports that the offender needed the help that he asked for and that the offending may not have occurred at all had he received that support.”
With a troubling history of substance abuse exacerbated by inadequate support, Conroy has been using cannabis daily and binge drinking alcohol on weekends. The judge sentenced him to two years and 10 months in prison, with a non-parole period of one year and eight months, expiring on May 14, 2026. While Judge Montgomery acknowledged a high likelihood of reoffending upon release, he stressed that proper mental health treatment could mitigate these risks.
As the situation develops, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has stated that the NDIS is not intended to replace the mainstream justice and mental health systems. A spokesperson confirmed, “The NDIA works closely with state and territory government services to ensure NDIS participants receive a holistic approach to supports,” adding that specialized support is available for those involved in the justice system.
This case raises urgent questions about the adequacy of disability support in Australia and highlights the pressing need for reform. As vulnerable individuals like Jayden Conroy continue to struggle, the call for comprehensive changes to the NDIS grows louder.
For anyone in need of support, resources are available through Lifeline at 13 11 14 and beyondblue at 1300 22 4636.
