MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 14 November 2024
The mass incarceration of Aboriginal people in NSW remains at crisis point and is getting worse, with latest statistics showing a record high number and proportion of Aboriginal adults in prison despite dropping crime rates.
Data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows 4,103 Aboriginal adults were in custody in September, representing 32% of the adult custody population. The proportion of Aboriginal children in custody also remains unacceptably high at 60%, a small increase since the same time last year.
“The Premier has serious questions to answer about how he is going to get Closing the Gap back on track in NSW and why his government has passed laws that have contributed to this growing inequality,” said Karly Warner, Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS).
Among these laws are a ‘wanding’ bill giving police extraordinary powers to stop people in public places without suspicion, which was passed in June; regressive bail restrictions for children which the Premier admitted would lead to more Aboriginal children being imprisoned; and introducing new offences, including ‘posting and boasting’ laws which were passed in March. None of these law changes were based on evidence about what works to prevent crime.
The record high number of Aboriginal adults in prison is being driven by remand, meaning that almost half of Aboriginal adults in prison are waiting for their day in court. Decisions by police are overwhelmingly responsible for putting more Aboriginal people behind bars. BOCSAR data from earlier this year showed the increase in bail refusals by police for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been double the increase in bail refusals by courts.
“Prisons only cause harm and trauma, but there are clear alternatives that work. As a society, how we invest our resources reflects our values. If the NSW Government continues to invest in prisons and police instead of meeting the needs of communities, we’ll simply end up with more crime, fractured families, and trauma. Investing in community-led solutions, including family support, housing, educational engagement, disability and mental health services, and after-hours activities for young people, is what will deliver healthier, safer communities,” Ms Warner said.
ENDS
Media contact: Alyssa Robinson [email protected] 0427 346 017
