This paper assesses whether the philosophy of the Young Offenders Act (YOA) is being adhered to in respect to the nature of offences being diverted and the use of the hierarchical approach to sanctioning.

In the 24 months to September 2011, crimes such as assault and motor theft were tending downwards in New South Wales. The offences trending downwards were: Assault – non-domestic violence related (down 5.8%) Robbery without a weapon (down 17.9%) Break and enter dwelling (down 3.3%) Break and enter non-dwelling (down 2.1%) Motor vehicle theft (down...

There is strong evidence that intensively supervising drug court participants in the early phases reduces early-phase substance use and sanctioning rates. This paper assesses whether intensive judicial supervision (IJS) during the early stages of drug court reduces drug use and sanctioning rates. Method: The study employed a non-blinded randomised controlled trial to test the effect...

This report details our audit of the implementation of the NSW Interagency Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities 2006 - 2011 (Interagency Plan). The report seeks to bring together what we have said over a number of years publicly - as well as to agencies directly - about the systemic reforms that...

Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre houses some of the most challenging and troubled adolescent boys and young men in the NSW criminal justice system. This report details the NSW Ombudsman's investigation into the operation of the Behaviour Management Program at Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre which determines almost every aspect of an inmate's day to day life...