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.
