Case Study: The Australian Indigenous Prison Population

Indigenous Prison Population

The overall prison population in Australia is similar to other developed countries, however the Australian Indigenous prison population is at an unacceptable rate and is continuing to rise (Krieg, 2006). The population of Indigenous prisoners in Australia has doubled within a generation (Mc Coy, 2008). Indigenous prisoner population in Western Australia, as with the rest of Australia, is massively over-represented (Justice & Community Safety in Western Australia, 2013). Latest figures show that 2076 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are detained in Western Australian prisons, which includes 1823 men and 253 women and totals 39.6% of the prison population (Department of Corrections). These rates are particularly
Alcohol is a leading contributing factor into the over representation of Indigenous people in prison, prevalent in up to 90 per cent of Indigenous people’s cases who have contact with the justice system (NIADOC, 2009; Hudson, 2013). The widespread issue of substance misuse for Indigenous Australians stems from the trauma and dispossession many Indigenous communities have suffered, with the result being more Indigenous people are inclined to use substances (Pearson, 2001; Turgeon, 2001). Indigenous Australians are 6 times more likely to drink at high risk levels then non-Indigenous Australians (Jayaraj, Ah Kit, Thompson & Spencer, 2010). Due to poor facilities, no relevant education and few employment opportunities, alcohol consumption has been seen to become a part of culture in many Aboriginal communities (Turgeon, 2001). Indigenous people’s high level of welfare dependency has resulted in a social environment where some Indigenous communities, particularly those in rural locations, welfare payments are spent on alcohol and heavy drinking has become rampant (Hudson, 2011). Reports from Indigenous offenders identify alcohol as a contributing factors in their violent assaults (Jayaraj, Ah Kit, Thompson & Spencer, 2010). Substance abuse has also been linked to increase in risk of child neglect and abuse (Weatherburn &
This model has gain in popularity after successes in England and America (Hudson, 2013). Indigenous advocates are calling to governments to implement Justice Reinvestment models to prevent crimes at the ‘front end’, addressing underlying causes of crime rather than bulk of funding being spent on ‘back end’, in prisons (Gooda, 2013). Justice Reinvestment model has been adopted in North Queensland community which has had successful outcomes (Hudson, 2013). A Family Responsible Commission was formed, led by chosen community elders to change the social norms of their community. Individuals and families require support would be referred to the program and regular conferences were held to discuss issues faced and specific plans were developed to address issues, bringing positive behavior change (FRC, 2013). This program proved that when Indigenous people are given incentives and supports, positive changes occur (Hudson,