Emma Garlett: Youth detention turns troubled kids into hardened criminals

Aboriginal youth crime is splashed across the news on what seems like a daily basis. And something is being done about it. The Albanese Government has just announced it will invest in 10 new justice initiatives around the country. The projects are part of the largest commitment to justice reinvestment ever delivered by the Commonwealth. As part of their $109 million First Nations justice package, the Albanese Government has committed $79 million to supporting up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives in First Nations communities across Australia. It’s a recognition that the old system of constantly cycling kids through the youth justice system simply doesn’t work. We know that kids who come into contact with the justice system before the age of 14 are far less likely to finish their education. They’re less likely to find jobs. And they’re much more likely to reoffend as adults and end up in prison. That’s a heavy cost to society — both in terms of financial cost to the system and taxpayers and to our social cohesion. And as we know, conditions in our juvenile detention facilities are far from the therapeutic environments they should be to get troubled kids back on track. Casuarina Prison’s notorious Unit 18 — where 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd took his own life last year — has been described as “hell on earth” by Children’s Court President Hylton Quail. Banksia Hill has been referred to as a “monster factory” — a place where troubled kids enter, and hardened criminals exit. So it’s a benefit to all of us to keep as many children out of the justice system as possible. Justice reinvestment is a long-term, community-led approach to preventing crime, improving community safety, and reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in custody. It does this by recognising that the reasons children offend are complex. These aren’t inherently bad kids. Many have suffered abuse, neglect or exposure to violence in the home. Many have conditions such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which interferes with decision-making capabilities. Of the 10 new community-led justice reinvestment initiatives selected for this program, three are in WA, in Carnarvon, Halls Creek and the Wheatbelt. One of the programs will be led by Aboriginal Legal Service of WA. It will lead a consortium involving the Wadjuk Northside Aboriginal Corporation, HOPE Community Services and the Stephen Michael Foundation to deliver the “Old Ways New Ways” program. ALSWA CEO Wayne Nannup said the program will bring young people to a central hub, where they can access comprehensive case management under the one roof. “When you look at the over-representation of our young people in court or detention, it’s clear that the current system is seriously failing our youth,” he said. “Old Ways, New Ways will provide a holistic approach involving key stakeholders, referral pathways, case management, specialist and community supports and healing on country camps.” “First Nations Peoples are over-represented at every point within the criminal justice system in this country. Here in WA, the alarming issues which have emerged from Banksia Hill Detention Centre and Unit 18 of Casuarina Prison highlight that urgent change is needed. Mr Nannup said he had no doubt Old Ways New Ways would reduce recidivism. Old Ways New Ways will initially work with high-risk young people going through the Perth Children’s Court and it is hoped that the program will have the capacity to extend to regional WA in the future. This is the start of real change in our communities to keep our kids out of prison and give them hope for the future.