Justice reinvestment isnot a program. It 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 implement a holistic justice response that is unique to their place-based community.
Although the specific priorities of each community may vary, each justice reinvestment community will commonly adopt a life course approach by focusing on early intervention and prevention, holistic justice and addressing the social determinants of incarceration. These may include but are not limited to justice outcomes related to law, health, housing, education, employment, family support, land, sea, social and emotional wellbeing, along with connection to culture and language. Whilst working primarily at the place-based level justice reinvestment also provides communities with the tools to advocate their experiences into broader calls for systems change, including within service delivery; law, policy and structural reform; ways of working; and investment models.
Justice Reinvestment is a long-term approach for community. It more than just a justice program that is funded for a short-term time. Justice Reinvestment work progresses at the pace of community and requires a fundamental shift in power from government and service providers to community. It also requires a shift in accountability for outcomes. Our communities know the underlying drivers of crime and incarceration are symptoms of a system that has failed to respond to the needs and interests of First Nations communities.
Reflecting the self-determined nature of Justice Reinvestment, this way of working will look different in every community as the Justice Reinvestment approach works to address place-based priorities and needs at the local level. As a guiding principle, the typical stages of a JR approach are stepped out below.
This journey is ongoing. Each stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to months or years. The process is also not always linear (following the presented stages one after the other).
Hear some of the stories shared by the First Nations people from Moree, Mt Druitt and Bourke about how justice reinvestment is making an impact in their community.
