SCHOOL OF LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH UNIT (ICRU): RESEARCH SEMINAR

Dr. Ruth McCausland and Dr. Mindy Sotiri

Australia’s prison population is at its highest ever recorded level. There is evidence that people with multiple and complex needs - i.e. mental illness, cognitive impairment, homelessness, and active drug and alcohol addiction - are disproportionately represented amongst the rising numbers of prisoners, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men. In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis by Australian governments on the criminal justice system playing a therapeutic role, with significant resources committed to justice agencies for the stated purpose of diversion and rehabilitation. Our presentation will draw on research and practice to contend that the way this approach is being conceptualised and operationalised is, in reality, serving to criminalise and entrench people with complex needs in the criminal justice system. We will discuss holistic community-based partnerships and programs we are involved with that are assisting people to build genuine pathways out of the criminal justice system.

Dr. Ruth McCausland is Research Fellow in the School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Dr. Mindy Sotiri is Program Director, Community Restorative Centre New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.