positive outcomes are achievable. Culturally
appropriate residential options to support the
completion of Community Corrections Orders also
enjoy strong and sustained success. For example,
the proportion of Koori male offenders who have
successfully completed the program at Wulgunggo
Nglau Learning Place has steadily increased from
68 per cent in 2010-11 to 97 per cent in the 11
months to May 2013.
prisons, there are only around 30 Koori women in
Victorian prisons at any one time. Given these small
overall numbers, and following years of research
and policy discussion, we know who they are and
where they are, which makes it easier to know what
is needed. Developing targeted interventions for
this cohort makes sense such a relatively modest
investment would create significant community
gain, both in financial terms and in contributing to
greater community safety.
invest in culturally appropriate initiatives that help
reduce offending, improve the likelihood that
the women can successfully complete orders
and, ultimately, begin to turn their lives around. It
would also help deliver policy commitments made
by Commonwealth and Victorian governments
over the past decades to address the over-
representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander women in prison.
that help keep Koori families together, strong and
healthy, and which provide children and young
people with a viable pathway way to education and
employment, is necessary to break the cycle of
disadvantage that can lead to imprisonment.
commitment to tackle these systemic issues,
however, the number of Koori women in contact with
the criminal justice system will continue to grow.
From 66.7 per cent in 2010-11, to 76.6 per cent in 2011-12,
and 97.1 per cent from July 2012 to May 2013. State of
Victoria, Corrections Victoria, `Indigenous Offenders and
Prisoners Data Report to the July 2013 AJF' above n 1.
That Victoria Police, in partnership with the
Aboriginal Justice Forum, revise and update
the Victoria Police Aboriginal Strategic Plan
2003-2008.
That Victoria Police, in partnership with the
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human
Rights Commission, undertake an analysis
of cautioning, charging, bail decision and
bail conditions relating to Koori women. The
results of this analysis should be reported
to the Aboriginal Justice Forum and inform a
review of Victoria Police members training on
working with Koori offenders.
Noting the high risk of young Koori offenders
becoming entrenched in the criminal justice
system, that Victoria Police regularly provide
de-identified data to the Aboriginal Justice
Forum on contact rates of Koori young
people. This data should also be provided
to the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children
and Young People and include a breakdown
by age, gender, region and contact type
(including field contacts, cautions and arrests).
That the Magistrates' Court of Victoria
establish a Koori-specific Court Integrated
Services Program. This program should
include dedicated services for Koori women.
That the Magistrates' Court of Victoria
consult with the Aboriginal Justice Forum to
develop guidance to Magistrates on barriers
to the successful completion of diversion
for Koori women, with a view to developing
more flexible and responsive options for
this cohort. Noting the distinct patterns of
offending arising from multi-age peer groups
among young Koori women, this work should
include a review of eligibility for Koori women
who are not first-time offenders.