women leads to a void of carers and leaders in
the community. This impacts significantly on the
children who grow up without their mothers and
with limited knowledge about their cultural identity.
In addition, the community is affected, as there is
a lack of leaders resulting in the further erosion of
cultural knowledge.
and family bonds that guide individuals away from
crime, remove adults who would otherwise nurture
children, deprive communities of income, reduce
future income potential, and engender a deep
resentment toward the legal system. As a result, as
communities become less capable of managing
social order through family or social groups,
offending increases.
costing $339 per day, per prisoner in Victoria.
people, who have been convicted of non-violent
crimes spend in prison is around 12 months.
The cost per person of 12 months in prison is
$114,832.
or other services system, that ex-prisoners may
increase their use of after prison. Nor does it
include the costs of recidivism, the risk of which
is much higher for those who have already been
in prison. "Ultimately, the social factors created by
imprisonment reinforce recidivism increasing the
economic cost on the state".
Don Stemen, Reconsidering Incarceration: New
Directions for Reducing Crime (2007) 6. <http://www.
vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/
veraincarc_vFW2.pdf> at 18 July 2013.
Total net operating expenditure and capital costs 2011-
12. Productivity Commission, Report on Government
Services 2013 (2013) Corrective Services Table 8A.35.
<http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/rogs/2013> at 18 July 2013.
National estimate based on ABS data. National Indigenous
Drug and Alcohol Committee, above n 487, 53.
Parliament of Australia, `Report into Justice
Reinvestment', above n 34, 25.
than to divert them from the system.
Corrections Order.
supported accommodation, with wrap-around
support, including drug and alcohol, mental
health, childcare and parental skills, assistance
with employment/training with the option of
permanent housing.
appropriate residential diversionary placement
such as the Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place
for Koori men.
appropriate residential drug and alcohol
centre.
dependence in a facility that allows her
children to live with her in a semi-independent
environment is $1,798, or the equivalent of 5.3
days in prison.
Youth justice costs are also considerable, particularly
if children enter the system at a very early age. Recent
research by Jesuit Social Services found that for their
sample of 27 children who first experienced remand at
10 to 12 years, the total cost of custody in Victorian Youth
Justice was $3,046,560. Cost is from first ever youth
justice custodial order to May 2012. This does not include
collateral costs including policing, court time, legal aid, or
social services. Jesuit Social Services, above n 190, 36.
Annual cost of $9,855 compared to $123,370.
Mission Australia and Melbourne City Mission Restart
Program. Includes three months pre-release support.
The program houses 50 women at a total cost of
$1,284,973 per annum. That is $25,699 per client per
year or $70 per client, per day.
The capital cost is $52 per day. National Indigenous
Drug and Alcohol Committee, above n 487, 51.