Indigenous Justice Reports: new narratives and practices in sentencing

Project Member(s): Anthony, T., Lavarch, L.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage Projects)
Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage Projects)
Griffith University
Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration
Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-Operative Limited
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-Operative Limited
Five Bridges
Five Bridges

Start year: 2019

Summary: This project engages a participatory action research model to assess the impact of Indigenous Justice Reports in criminal sentencing on sentence practices and outcomes for Indigenous women. It introduces Indigenous Reports for Indigenous women in Victorian Koori Courts and expands their availability in Queensland Murri Courts. Its comparative research approach identifies how place-based factors influence the process and impact of Indigenous Reports on sentencing. This project seeks to improve sentencing processes and outcomes for Indigenous defendants by providing courts with reports that address personal and community circumstances of Indigenous women, provide relevant sentencing options and are accompanied with appropriate supports.

Publications:

Brown, D, Farrier, D, McNamara, L, Steel, A, Grewcock, M, Quilter, J, Schwartz, M, Anthony, T & Loughnan, A 2020, Criminal Laws Materials and Commentary on Criminal Law and Process of NSW, 7, Federation Press, Sydney.

FOR Codes: Causes and Prevention of Crime, Criminal Law and Procedure, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law, Law Reform, Crime Prevention, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development and Welfare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the law, Criminal procedure, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services, Justice and the law