This study of an offender cohort in Queensland addressed three research questions: the proportion of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people who had contact with the juvenile justice system and the extent of this contact; the processes used to respond to offending by Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people and any disparity based on Indigenous status; the impact of police diversion on re-contact with the juvenile justice system for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people. While confirming Indigenous over-representation in the justice system and in court for a first offence, the study highlights the need to develop, implement and evaluate appropriate programs to reduce initiation of offending and reoffending by Indigenous young people.
 
This paper was commissioned by the Criminology Research Council.

Authors: Troy Allard, Anna Stewart, April Chrzanowski, James Ogilvie, Dan Birks and Simon Little