Causes Of Incarceration In Australia

In Australia, during 2010 there was approximately 38 young people incarcerated per 100,000, and this is why many believe the incarceration of youth to be one of the biggest issues in Australia. While these figures have dropped dramatically since 1981, many believe it can be lowered further. South Australia’s youth are prosecuted in accordance to the Young Offenders Act of 1993, which applies to youth between the ages of 10-17. This act aims to maintain social cohesion and progress, and it attempts to do this by assisting young people at risk from becoming involved in criminal activity, and to prevent reoffending through the provision of appropriate services and programs. Many members of the public believe, that the incarceration of the youth is not only ineffective and unnecessary, but also damaging the youth and causing recidivism, and instead we should follow
Currently, Australia’s primary answer to offending youth, for serious matters, is incarceration. However, across Australia many believe that the incarceration of youth is still the stem of the issue of recidivism, and therefore, the issue cannot be solved until the incarceration of youth is removed. Between 2011-12 approximately $640 million was spent on the youth justice system nationwide, and even with this much there the recidivism rates are anything but favourable. Approximately half of the juveniles appearing before a youth or children’s court will have been convicted previously, and approximately one-third of juveniles appearing