Pre-sentence reports (PSRs) provide information to courts on an individual’s background, circumstances, risks, needs and plans. This study describes the language and sentiment in these reports. The authors studied PSRs written for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people sentenced by the mainstream County Court of...

Public opinion about sentencing is notoriously difficult to assess. Building on the existing literature on public attitudes to the criminal justice system, this study aims to explore community views on this issue using a focus group methodology.

This brief focuses on Indigenous sentencing courts, which operate in all Australian states and territories except Tasmania.

Indigenous participation in sentencing procedures has been occurring informally in remote communities for some time. This paper describes the range of practices used. It is a snapshot of current practice at year-end 2003 in Australia.