Justice Reinvestment is about returning power and resources to community to lead their own solutions
Justice Reinvestment is about returning power and resources to community to lead their own solutions
Justice reinvestment is a way of working that shifts power and decision making to First Nations communities to self-determine the best way to improve justice outcomes in their community. It works by bringing together local First Nations people to share data, evidence, their lived experiences and expertise to design and develop a holistic justice response that is unique to their local community.
Although the specific priorities of each community may vary each justice reinvestment initiative will commonly adopt a life course approach to crime by focusing on early intervention and prevention in intersecting areas of justice. These may include but are not limited to policing, health, housing, education, employment, family support along with access to culture and language. Whilst working primarily at the local level justice reinvestment also provides communities with the tools to advocate their experiences into broader calls for systems change including within service delivery and law or policy reform.
Looking to speak with someone about justice reinvestment and your community?
Our website offers a range of resources to expand your understanding of justice reinvestment and how it operates in different jurisdictions. These are available on our resources page.
We also provide up to date information on how the Australian Government is partnering with First Nations communities to progress justice reinvestment nationally. These updates are available on our community-government partnership page.
Justice Reinvestment is not an off the shelf ‘program’, it is principled and data-driven approach to resolving criminal justice issues that is custom designed and implemented by communities directly affected by the criminal justice system.
Data demonstrating extensive contact with the criminal justice system (this includes bureaucratic such as crime stats, alongside community data such as storytelling)
An urgency and readiness for change amongst community members and key stakeholders
Capability for change such as access to resources and sufficient local infrastructure
Extensive community and youth engagement
Data collection
Asset-mapping
Exploring and implementing immediate opportunities for change
Determining priorities and creating a shared vision for change
Building partnerships and strengthening local infrastructure
Implementing the shared vision for change
Breaking down silos
Designing and implementing collaborative projects which further the shared vision for change
Developing a framework for monitoring, evaluating and learning from the work
Building local leadership and governance by shifting power from government and services back to community
Training and development of skills
Elevating local expertise into policy and law reform
Focusing on the sustainability of independent community self-governance structures
Exploring and implementing what ‘reinvestment’ looks like for the community
Achieving permanent power shifts from government to community
Accountability of government and service providers
