Rehabilitative needs and treatment of Indigenous offenders in ...

Chapter 1IntroductionMuch has been written about the over-representation of Indigenous personsin the criminal justice system. Indigenous persons represent four per cent ofQueensland’s general population (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] 2006),nearly 30 per cent of the prisoner population and approximately 20 per cent ofoffenders under community supervision (QCS 2009)Research demonstrates that Indigenous offending behaviour is the mostsignificant cause of Indigenous over-representation, rather than biasedcriminal justice responses (Snowball & Weatherburn 2006). However,researchers also note that historical factors, such as poor health, loweducation, limited social connectedness and family cohesion, poor parenting,high unemployment, physical and sexual abuse and drug misuse, haveincreased Indigenous persons’ exposure to risk factors associated with crime.This report provides information on the rehabilitation needs and treatment ofIndigenous offenders in Queensland. It is anticipated that the information inthis report will facilitate the development of strategies and interventionsdesigned to address Indigenous recidivism and the over-representation ofIndigenous persons in the criminal justice system. While this report focuseson tertiary responses to Indigenous over-representation, it is acknowledgedthat early intervention or primary responses play a critical role in efforts toreduce Indigenous contact with the criminal justice system.The report has been prepared as part of the Indigenous Criminal JusticeResearch Agenda (ICJRA). The ICJRA was established as a means of settingthe Queensland Government’s strategic direction regarding research intoIndigenous justice issues following recommendations outlined in anindependent evaluation of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Justice Agreement. The ICJRA is co-ordinated by the QueenslandDepartment of the Premier and Cabinet.11