Good Practice in Community-based Supervision of Aboriginal Youth Offenders

Abstract

While it has been recognised for some time that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are significantly over-represented among youth justice populations, there is a dearth of research examining the elements of effective supervision for this group. This article presents the initial findings of a research project based on a partnership between Monash University and Juvenile Justice, New South Wales. Two focus groups were conducted, the first with five members and the second with six members of the Juvenile Justice Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Committee, with a view to identifying elements of good practice in the supervision of Aboriginal youth justice clients. A set of good practice principles was developed, which encompassed five main themes: culturally-informed communication, valuing Aboriginal knowledge, the importance of the working relationship, the significance of family, and highlighting strengths and achievements.

一段时间以来，人们看到原住民以及托利海峡岛民中的青年涉法人口比例过的现象。但很少有人研究对这个群体的有效监督都需要哪些条件。本文为莫纳什大学与西南威尔士青少年司法局合作项目的初步研究成果。我们考察了两个焦点群体，第一个群体包括青少年司法局原住民战略咨询委员会的五位成员，第二个群体包括委员会的六位成员，我们的目的在于找到正确监督原住民涉法青年的办法。我们找到了一套正确办法的五条原则：文化信息沟通、承认原住民的知识、工作关系的重要性、家庭的意义以及对能力和成就的强调。

Keywords:

• Youth Justice
• Juvenile Justice
• Aboriginal
• Indigenous
• Youth
• Supervision

Funding

This work was supported by The Australian Criminology Research Council, Australian Institute of Criminology (Grant No: 24/07-08).

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was supported by The Australian Criminology Research Council, Australian Institute of Criminology (Grant No: 24/07-08).