Given recent and significant community concerns, particularly following the Black Lives Matter movements, much of the evidence to this inquiry focused on the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system, including the historical, social and economic drivers that contribute to disproportionate incarceration rates of First Nations people. While part of this report centres on the oversight arrangements for deaths in custody, the committee acknowledges the expansive body of work in previous reports and inquiries into incarceration rates of First Nations people and First Nations deaths in custody.

This report is structured in two parts. The first part focuses on the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system and specific reforms to address disproportionate incarceration rates. The second part of this report – from chapter 4 onwards – will focus on oversight arrangements for deaths in custody and proposals for change.