Justice reinvestment in action
The United States4.32 Justice reinvestment has been most extensively implemented in the US under the banner of the ‘Justice Reinvestment Initiative’ (JRI). The JRI focuses on state-level reforms to reduce corrections spending and to reinvest in strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities.4.33 The JRI has been led by a number of think-tanks, non-profit …
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Read moreA national justice reinvestment body
Recommendation 4–1 Commonwealth, state and territory governments should provide support for the establishment of an independent justice reinvestment body. The purpose of the body should be to promote the reinvestment of resources from the criminal justice system to community-led, place-based initiatives that address the drivers of crime and incarceration, and to provide expertise on the …
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Read moreOverview of the Report
ContextIn 1991, the RCIADIC found that the fundamental causes for over-representation of Aboriginal people in custody were not located within the criminal justice system. Such a claim has been echoed many times since. In Chapter 2, the ALRC places the disproportionate incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today in social and historical …
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Read moreTerms of Reference
ALRC inquiry into the incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesI, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, Attorney-General of Australia, refer to the Australian Law Reform Commission, an inquiry into the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our prisons.It is acknowledged that while laws and legal frameworks are an important factor …
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Read moreAppendix C: Inquiry report
Inquiry into Protecting the Rights of Older Australians from AbuseOn 23 February 2016, the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, provided Terms of Reference to the ALRC for a review of existing Commonwealth laws and legal frameworks which seek to safeguard and protect older persons from misuse or abuse by formal and informal carers, …
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Read moreOther reporting requirements
Procurement and purchasingPurchasing within the ALRC is guided by its Procurement and Purchasing Policy, which is consistent with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) and the PGPA Act. As an agency expending public money, the ALRC must be accountable for its resources and expenditure.The ALRC Procurement and Purchasing Policy sets ‘value for money’ as the core …
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Read morePresident’s overview
It is with mixed emotions that I present my final President’s Overview for the 2016–17 Annual Report, as I leave the ALRC to take up my new Commission as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission on 31 July 2017. I say ‘mixed emotions’ because, although I consider it a great privilege to be joining …
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Read moreSpecialist courts and diversion programs
11.18 Criminal offences are divided into two categories: summary and indictable offences. Summary offences are heard in the lower courts (Local or Magistrates courts), whereas indictable offences are generally heard in District/County or Supreme courts. These courts are referred to as ‘mainstream’ courts, and hear the majority of criminal cases prosecuted in all Australian jurisdictions.11.19 …
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Read moreImprisonment terms that ‘cut out’ fine debt
Proposal 6–1 Fine default should not result in the imprisonment of the defaulter. State and territory governments should abolish provisions in fine enforcement statutes that provide for imprisonment in lieu of unpaid fines.6.21 Fines are penalties imposed for what are usually minor infractions—conduct that the legislature or the courts has determined does not warrant a …
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Read moreThe provision of throughcare
5.43 Throughcare aims to support the successful reintegration of offenders returning to the community at the end of their head sentence—ie, prisoners released without parole. The Prison to Work report described the concept of ‘throughcare’ in the following terms:Prisoner throughcare projects provide comprehensive case management for a prisoner in the lead up to their release …
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