Reinvesting in community-led justice solutions

Project Member(s): Allison, F., Hemming, S., Cochrane, M., Daylight, D., Riboldi, M.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Institute for Public Policy Ltd (formerly James Martin Institute Ltd) (Australian Public Policy Institute (formerly James Martin Institute))
Australian Institute for Public Policy Ltd (formerly James Martin Institute Ltd) (Australian Public Policy Institute (formerly James Martin Institute))

Start year: 2024

Summary: Justice Reinvestment (JR) is a place-based, First Nations community-led approach that addresses the causal factors (or social, political, cultural determinants) of First Nations contact with the justice system to reduce incarceration. These commonly encompass eduation, health and other population level social issues, as well as a lack of self determination. Through Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal communities initiate community-led strategies targeting these factors and focus on systems reform to support their objectives, often focussed on increasing First Nations participation in decision-making including around funding. In NSW, communities are advocating for reinvestment. This involves diversion of public funding away from justice systems to provide JR initiatives with sustained resourcing centred on early intervention/prevention and over which communities have greater control. This project will focus on shifting policy in NSW to support reinvestment as a key mechanism to improve Aboriginal outcomes, including in justice, health and education.

FOR Codes: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing, Justice and the law

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.