Allison, Fiona, and Cunneen, Chris (2008) Indigenous bail diversion: program options for Indigenous offenders in Victoria. Report. University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

[Extract] FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Distribution by type of bail diversion program

General vs issue-specific programs: Across the States and Territories, we have identified a greater number of bail diversion programs focusing upon a specific issue than general programs. The issue-specific programs focus primarily upon illicit drug use; mental health; and, to a lesser extent, Indigenous offenders as a group (including within those diversion programs focusing upon substance abuse). However, these issue-specific programs may also deal with a broad range of issues for offenders once they have been accepted onto a program, to differing degrees, in a similar fashion to a program such as CISP–but generally only of course with respect to a certain group of offenders (selected by narrower criteria).

Indigenous-specific/mainstream programs: There are not many Indigenous-specific bail diversion or support programs across the jurisdictions. Indigenous-specific programs fall into two categories–those programs dealing with substance abuse and programs with a broader focus. QIADP is the only one of the substance-abuse programs with a focus upon both alcohol and Indigenous offenders. However, nearly all other bail diversion programs with a focus upon alcohol have been developed, to different degrees, to specifically address alcohol use amongst Indigenous offenders. There is only one Indigenous-specific illicit drug bail diversion program (which also deals with alcohol)–the Indigenous Diversion Program (WA). Significantly, all of the substance abuse-based bail diversion programs with some focus upon Indigenous offenders are targeted at particular Indigenous communities rather than being statewide. Other programs, despite not being Indigenous specific, indicate a particular focus upon Indigenous people. The bail support programs provide an example of this. Programs that are not Indigenous-specific may still have high rates of Indigenous participation, perhaps more likely to occur where the program is dealing with an issue of relevance to Indigenous people (such as alcohol or mental health).

Alcohol-specific programs: There are only six bail diversion or support programs with a significant or sole focus upon alcohol. Five of these concentrate to different degrees upon Indigenous alcohol use within particular Indigenous communities. Indigenous offenders are less likely to access the greatest number of bail diversion programs in Australia–illicit-drug focused programs–due to the focus of such programs upon illicit drugs as a primary substance abuse issue. However, many of the other programs are able to address alcohol as an issue underlying offending behaviour, and Indigenous people will be able to access alcohol treatment and support unless they are otherwise excluded from the program by relevant criteria.

Item ID:	35122
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2016 03:00
FoR Codes:	18 LAW AND LEGAL STUDIES > 1801 Law > 180101 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law @ 100%
SEO Codes:	94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9404 Justice and the Law > 940403 Criminal Justice @ 40% 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9404 Justice and the Law > 940402 Crime Prevention @ 30% 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9404 Justice and the Law > 940408 Rehabilitation and Correctional Services @ 30%
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