The Wire

One quarter of Australia’s juvenile prisoners are Aboriginal, despite Indigenous people representing just 2.5 percent of Australia’s population. A senate committee on Aboriginal affairs today released a report on what is being done to keep young Aboriginal people out of prison. The “Doing Time” report made 40 recommendations designed to promote early intervention such as improving school attendance and work opportunities. The report criticised over-policing of Aboriginal people and the lack of cultural awareness of police working in Aboriginal communities. Features Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda.