Released 25/07/2017
Joint media release Gordon Ramsay MLA and Shane Rattenbury MLA
The final Justice Reform Strategy report, which marks the end of two years’ work focused on sentencing issues, has set the foundation for ongoing reform in ACT’s justice system.
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the Justice Reform Strategy had made significant achievements by tapping into expertise, both locally and from further afield, which would inform future Government policy.
“This report provides Government with a clear direction and identifies where we can best support those in contact with our criminal justice system,” Mr Ramsay said.
Minister for Justice Shane Rattenbury said the strategy’s key achievements include the new community-based sentencing framework involving Intensive Correction Orders and a significant expansion of the Territory’s restorative justice scheme.
“The extension of the restorative justice scheme to adult offenders is an important development and will allow more victims and offenders to access this process, which has demonstrated effectiveness in meeting the justice needs of victims, reducing their trauma and addressing reoffending behaviour.
Intensive Correction Orders have been operating since 2 March 2016 and the Government will continue to monitor and review the scheme.
“Our work to date forms part of the Government’s Justice Reform Program which aims to provide the right services and support to offenders with high and complex needs, and their families,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“This program includes the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Partnership and the Justice Reinvestment Strategy and over the coming months I expect more initiatives focused on reducing recidivism, improving public safety and strengthening our communities to be added.
“I am pleased to be working with the Attorney-General to build on the valuable work already undertaken and setting a clear framework for the future to address the challenges in the criminal justice system.”
Mr Ramsay said more new initiatives identified in the Justice Reform Strategy were currently under development, including a trial of specialised sentencing reports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders.
“The reports will be modeled on Gladue reports in Canada, which provide the sentencing court with additional information about how the collective experience of Aboriginal people has affected the individual offender,” Mr Ramsay said.
Ongoing efforts to achieve behavioural change in offenders was another key focus of the report.
“One aspect of this work is examining the ‘swift, certain but fair’ approach to sanctions, which has achieved notable success in overseas jurisdictions such as Hawaii,” Mr Ramsay said.
“We are also taking a problem-solving approach to offending and seeking to address the underlying issues that contribute to a person’s likelihood of reoffending.
“The Government is committed to progressing this approach through the introduction of a Drug and Alcohol Court.”
The Second Stage Report is available at https://www.justice.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases