A new court initiative aimed at tackling the underlying causes of offending has been launched at Mt Isa.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath said Court Link Mount Isa was a program based on individual case management and monitoring.
“One of the best ways to keep the community safe is to address the underlying causes of offending while seeking to prevent people from re-offending,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“Court Link Mount Isa now gives eligible defendants access to a range of support services while they’re on bail, for up to 12 weeks.”
She said participants attended regular meetings with their case managers and specialised service providers, with judicial monitoring through regular court appearances.
“Homelessness, employment, health issues and substance use are just some of the factors which contribute to offending, and we’re determined to tackle these causes head on,” the Minister said.
Mrs D’Ath said the cost of crime impacted significantly on the criminal justice system and the community, both socially and economically.
“These impacts are further exacerbated when defendants continue to re-offend,” she said.
“We need to ensure those who are experiencing issues that may contribute to their offending are properly supported while they are on bail awaiting trial.”
The Court Link program was established in response to recommendations in the 2016 Queensland Drug and Specialist Courts Review, which was commissioned to develop options for the reinstatement of a drug court in Queensland and the development of an over-arching framework for the State’s specialist courts and court programs.
