Data

Specific Topics
Indigenous Issues
Judicial Reform
Scope of Influence
Regional
Ongoing
No
Time Limited or Repeated?
A single, defined period of time
Purpose/Goal
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of government and public bodies
Develop the civic capacities of individuals, communities, and/or civil society organizations
Approach
Co-governance
Consultation
Co-production in form of partnership and/or contract with private organisations
Spectrum of Public Participation
Involve
Open to All or Limited to Some?
Limited to Only Some Groups or Individuals
Recruitment Method for Limited Subset of Population
Captive Sample
Targeted Demographics
Indigenous People
Experts
Stakeholder Organizations
General Types of Methods
Collaborative approaches
Deliberative and dialogic process
Planning
General Types of Tools/Techniques
Facilitate dialogue, discussion, and/or deliberation
Propose and/or develop policies, ideas, and recommendations
Plan, map and/or visualise options and proposals
Legality
Yes
Facilitators
Yes
Facilitator Training
Professional Facilitators
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Face-to-Face
Types of Interaction Among Participants
Discussion, Dialogue, or Deliberation
Formal Testimony
Information & Learning Resources
Written Briefing Materials
Decision Methods
General Agreement/Consensus
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
Public Report
Type of Organizer/Manager
Non-Governmental Organization
Funder
TACSI
Type of Funder
Non-Governmental Organization
Types of Change
Changes in how institutions operate
Changes in public policy
Changes in civic capacities
Implementers of Change
Stakeholder Organizations
Experts
Elected Public Officials

CASE

TACSI Co-Design for Aboriginal Justice Agreement

May 7, 2023 friedel.marquardt
May 7, 2023 Paul Emiljanowicz
February 1, 2023 friedel.marquardt
Specific Topics
Indigenous Issues
Judicial Reform
Scope of Influence
Regional
Ongoing
No
Time Limited or Repeated?
A single, defined period of time
Purpose/Goal
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of government and public bodies
Develop the civic capacities of individuals, communities, and/or civil society organizations
Approach
Co-governance
Consultation
Co-production in form of partnership and/or contract with private organisations
Spectrum of Public Participation
Involve
Open to All or Limited to Some?
Limited to Only Some Groups or Individuals
Recruitment Method for Limited Subset of Population
Captive Sample
Targeted Demographics
Indigenous People
Experts
Stakeholder Organizations
General Types of Methods
Collaborative approaches
Deliberative and dialogic process
Planning
General Types of Tools/Techniques
Facilitate dialogue, discussion, and/or deliberation
Propose and/or develop policies, ideas, and recommendations
Plan, map and/or visualise options and proposals
Legality
Yes
Facilitators
Yes
Facilitator Training
Professional Facilitators
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Face-to-Face
Types of Interaction Among Participants
Discussion, Dialogue, or Deliberation
Formal Testimony
Information & Learning Resources
Written Briefing Materials
Decision Methods
General Agreement/Consensus
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
Public Report
Type of Organizer/Manager
Non-Governmental Organization
Funder
TACSI
Type of Funder
Non-Governmental Organization
Types of Change
Changes in how institutions operate
Changes in public policy
Changes in civic capacities
Implementers of Change
Stakeholder Organizations
Experts
Elected Public Officials

Building on previous Indigenous community engagement and relationships, and adopting a “Koori-led” approach, this co-design initiative developed a framework for combatting the problem of over representation of Indigenous populations in the Australian criminal justice system.

Problems and Purpose

This project sought to tackle the problem of over representation of Indigenous populations in the Australian criminal justice system in a way that is Aboriginal-led. [1] By doing this, it also sought to aid in decolonizing the system and reducing the number of people being part of criminal justice systems for generations. [2] It was thought that this would help create safer spaces, and thereby lead to a “self determined [sic] approach and response to justice.” [3] A key factor of this process was that it was “Koori-driven” to address this challenge in an appropriate way for Indigenous people. [4] 


Background History and Context

The adult incarcerated population of Indigenous people is approximately 11 times more than that of non-Indigenous adults in Australia, with the number of Indigenous women greatly increasing in the system. [5] This project drew on the work of previous organizations that went on for nearly two decades and involved engaging with the Indigenous community and building strong relationships during that time. [6] 


Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities

The Koori Justice Unit engaged with TACSI, an organization for social innovation in Australia, for this. TACSI was responsible for the facilitation and support of this initiative. [7] 

The project also involved input from the Koori Caucus, a caucus made up of Koori community members from around Victoria and which advises and oversees state government work relating to Aboriginal justice policies and programs. [8] 

The Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 4 (AJA4) Steering Committee, Koori Justice Unit and the Australian Centre for Social Innovation also provided input into the project. [9] 


Participant Recruitment and Selection

Participants included members of the Koori Caucus, front-line staff and government officials. [10] 


Methods and Tools Used

Co-design practices. 

Deliberation. 


What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation

The project involved looking at over 17 years of work done on Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system by the Koori Caucus and Koori Justice Unit in Victoria. [11] & [12] It was made up of four stages [13]: 

  • Stage 1: Review & Select, which involved researching ideas around combatting the issues, scoping the parameter for addressing the issues, and drafting selection criteria. 
  • Stage 2: Test & Prototype, which involved co-designing five initiatives with participants and testing them. 
  • Stage 3: Design, which involved further refining the initiatives with participants (Caucus members). 
  • Stage 4: Forward Planning, which involved outlining plans to further enhance the selected initiatives and opportunities to innovate them. 

The initiative was led by the Aboriginal community in Victoria and took place over five months, and is seen as part of the journey for self-determination. [14] & [15] 


Influence, Outcomes, and Effects

The project culminated in five overlapping recommendations to combat over representation and increase self-determination. [16] These initiatives are [17]: 

  • A family-focused holistic and restorative support model 
  • Community-level self-determination of most concerning criminal justice issues 
  • Adapting procedures to reduce unnecessary bail assignments and breaches 
  • Prevention for young people: ensuring the first contact is the last 
  • Koori driven media 


Analysis and Lessons Learned

See Also

References

[1] TACSI (n.d.). Case Study: The Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/case-study/aboriginal-youth-justice-strategy  

[2] Ibid.  

[3] TACSI (2017). Initiatives to Reduce Aboriginal Over Representation in the Criminal Justice System. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/project/reducing-over-representation-in-the-criminal-justice-system  

[4] TACSI (n.d.). Case Study: The Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/case-study/aboriginal-youth-justice-strategy  

[5] Ibid. 

[6] Ibid.  

[7] TACSI (n.d.). Co-designing initiatives to reduce Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/project/reducing-over-representation-in-the-criminal-justice-system   

[8] TACSI (n.d.). Case Study: The Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/case-study/aboriginal-youth-justice-strategy   

[9] TACSI (2017). Initiatives to Reduce Aboriginal Over Representation in the Criminal Justice System. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/project/reducing-over-representation-in-the-criminal-justice-system   

[10] Ibid. 

[11] Ibid. 

[12] TACSI (n.d.) Case study: The Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/case-study/aboriginal-youth-justice-strategy   

[13] TACSI (2017). Initiatives to Reduce Aboriginal Over Representation in the Criminal Justice System. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/project/reducing-over-representation-in-the-criminal-justice-system  

[14] Ibid. 

[15] TACSI (n.d.) Case study: The Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/case-study/aboriginal-youth-justice-strategy  

[16] TACSI (2017). Initiatives to Reduce Aboriginal Over Representation in the Criminal Justice System. Available at: https://www.tacsi.org.au/our-work/project/reducing-over-representation-in-the-criminal-justice-system  

[17] Ibid. 


External Links

Notes