Higher Targets to reduce Indigenous incarceration can be implemented quickly, safely

05/08/2020

The New South Wales Bar Association President, Tim Game SC has today issued a Media Release stating that higher targets to reduce the over-representation of First Nations People in Australia’s criminal justice system could be achieved more quickly and safely based on new data.

Last week the Federal Government announced a justice target to reduce adult incarceration of First Nations People by 15% by 2031. New figures released this week by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reveal the State’s prison population has been reduced in eight weeks by 11% and the youth detention population by 27% from February to June in response to the threat of COVID-19.

“These figures clearly show how unambitious the Commonwealth justice target really is. Reducing the prison population can evidently be done successfully, efficiently and much more quickly, without impermissibly compromising community safety,” Mr Game said.

A full copy of the Media Release is available here.