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Jailing Is Failing

Our criminal justice system is not working. Past Governments of both political persuasions have been responsible for more than doubling the Australian jail population over recent decades. The Australian imprisonment rate (per 100,000 of adult population) more than tripled, from 66 in 1985 to 223 in 2019. It is now time to critically examine the evidence which shows that jails are failing us all. In many parts of the United States Democrats and Republicans are learning to work together to support alternatives to incarceration.

Successful bipartisan reform initiatives internationally show us there is another way. It’s time for governments to listen and accept the evidence for reform.

It’s time to admit it – jailing is failing.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Jailing is failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2018, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accounted for 3% of the total population, but 28% of the adult prison population. In an...
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Youth

Jailing is failing young Australians. Sadly, most of the young people in Australia’s juvenile justice system come from backgrounds where they have already often suffered from severe neglect or abuse and/or have been...
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Women

Jailing is failing women. The fastest growing cohort of Australia’s prison population is women, and a disproportionate number of those women are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Most have committed non-violent offences, and many...
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Mental Illness and Cognitive Disability

Jailing is also failing those with particular challenges such as people living with mental illness and cognitive disability. More than 50% of adults in prison have a history of mental illness and...
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Taxpayers

Jailing is failing Australian taxpayers. Australia now imprisons more people than at any time since 1900, in both total number and per capita, at a cost exceeding $3.6 billion annually or $110, 000...
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Disadvantaged

Jailing is failing the most disadvantaged. The number of people in prison has increased by nearly 50% since 2000. People from disadvantaged or marginalised groups are far more likely to come into contact...
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Victims of crime

Jailing is failing the victims of crime. Victims of crime tell us that they are not helped by “tough on crime” rhetoric. Victims have frequently called for support and processes that recognise and give...
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As a deterrent

Jailing is failing as a deterrent. The evidence is that rates of reoffending are actually increasing. More than 50% of people who are imprisoned return to prison within two years. The experience of...
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Rehabilitation

Jail is failing in terms of rehabilitation. In order to break the cycle of incarceration, people need access to support services both in and out of prison. People need access to post-release support, help...
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