Project partner: Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS)
This research formed part of a broader DJCS strategic priority to reduce the overrepresentation of young people from specific cultural backgrounds in the Youth Justice system.
The Youth Justice portfolio of DJCS engaged the project team to conduct an extensive review of the literature and a significant program of interviews, providing pragmatic insights for Youth Justice into effective interventions.
The program of research aimed to explore i) contemporary specific factors and contexts leading young African-Australian people to the Victorian criminal justice system, and ii) evidence-based community endorsed initiatives to prevent early justice system contact, and further involvement for those with justice histories.
Project impact
The project team interviewed over 40 young people in custody and community. This close engagement identified key factors leading to high-harm offending and peer-group affiliation for African-Australian and Pasifika young people in Victoria.
Interview results identified key strengths, pro-social factors and program needs (ie, what works) that are associated with i) non justice contact, ii) desistance from initial justice contact/low level offending, iii) desistance from high harm offending/peer group affiliation, and iv) successful transition away from youth and adult custody.
Based on this, the team identified culturally responsive interventions and programs to prevent and reduce (further) justice system contact and peer-affiliated group involvement.
Project team
Chuol Puot
Project details
Project start date: October 2023
Project end date: December 2024
Funding body: Department of Justice and Community Safety