Assessing the outcomes of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Abstract

The paper assesses the outcomes of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in the ten years since its finalisation. Despite specific recommendations designed to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, the situation has not improved in relation to custodial levels or deaths in custody, particularly in prison. However, it is argued that the Royal Commission also had a broader impact on Australian social and political life which has led to substantial changes.

Key Words:

• Aboriginal people
• deaths in custody
• police
• prisons