Comparing Sentencing Outcomes for Koori and Non-Koori Adult Offenders in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

Karen Gelb, Donald Ritchie

Research output: Book/Research ReportResearch report

Abstract

The 2011 Australian census reveals that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise 0.7% (37,991) of the population of Victoria. As at 30 June 2012, however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise 7.6% (371 people) of the Victorian prison population. Further, as at that date, the rate of imprisonment of Indigenous people in Victoria is 13.4 times higher than the rate of imprisonment of non-Indigenous people. The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian prisons has recently been described as ‘shameful’ (Gooda, 2012) and ‘the most intractable problem facing the justice system’ (Martin, 2012). In the last 20 years a number of studies have sought to examine the causes of Indigenous over representation, often testing individual reasons. Even with an appreciation of the historical context as a fundamental consideration, Indigenous over-representation remains a complex issue, requiring the examination of multiple, interrelated causes and influences.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationMelbourne, Vic.
PublisherSentencing Advisory Council
Number of pages80
ISBN (Print)9781921100963
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Bibliographical note

© Copyright State of Victoria, Sentencing Advisory Council, April 2013. This publication is protected by the laws of copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).

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