The ACT’s Galambany Circle Sentencing Court has improved wellbeing, health, education and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders who have been sentenced, according to an independent report commissioned by the Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said the Court’s purpose was to provide effective and restorative processes for First Nations defendants through community involvement in sentencing, as an alternative to the conventional Magistrates Court process.
Mr Rattenbury said the report, Cost Benefit Analysis of Galambany Court, found the Court played a key role in reducing some of the negative impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may experience from the ACT’s justice system.
“Reducing the negative impacts of contact with the justice system for First Nations people also reduces pressure on Government services like the courts, hospitals, foster care and emergency housing,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“This analysis has found that every dollar used for the Galambany Circle Sentencing Court delivers over three dollars in benefits to the community,” he said.
“In fact, Galambany is expected to save the justice system alone more than $5 million in the 10 years to 2026.”
Mr Rattenbury said the Analysis concluded that Galambany Court improved the quality of life and output of the ACT community and was an “excellent use of ACT resources”.
“Only by listening to and working collaboratively together with First Nations communities, can we comprehensively address the troubling over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system,” he said.
The 125-page Cost Benefit Analysis Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
