In 2021–22, there were 106 deaths in custody: 84 in prison custody and 22 in police custody or custody-related operations. In total, there were 24 Indigenous deaths and 81 non-Indigenous deaths in custody and one death of a person whose Indigenous status was unknown. This...

This report is report based on research with Aboriginal communities in Bourke, Moree and Mt Druitt. It conveys their experiences of the criminal justice system and captures their perspectives on ‘reinvestment’ in New South Wales. The report also invites government to commence a process of...

The aim of this research was investigate the impact of the NSW Youth Koori Court (YKC) on youth justice outcomes, including the probability of being sentenced to a juvenile control order (JCO) and recidivism.

This strategy was developed and led from the outset by the Aboriginal Justice Caucus. This process commenced with a planning workshop in 2018 where the Caucus outlined their aspirations for, and approach to, creating Victoria’s first Aboriginal youth justice strategy.

This policy brief sets out Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service’s (VALS) position on the key principles for reform of Victoria’s police oversight system.

The National Deaths in Custody Program has monitored the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison, police custody and youth detention in Australia since 1980. In 2020–21 there were 82 deaths in custody: 66 in prison custody and 16 in police custody or custody-related...

The National Deaths in Custody Program has monitored the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison, police custody and youth detention in Australia since 1980. In 2019-20 there were 113 deaths in custody. This report contains detailed information on these deaths and compares the...

The Northern Territory Aboriginal Justice Agreement (the Agreement) outlines how the parties will work together to improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. The Agreement has three aims and identifies the commitments and actions to be delivered over seven years.

This report synthesises the published literature on how First Nations people in Australia understand and experience disability, and on promising practice in disability support services for Indigenous people internationally, in order to inform cultural safety in Australian disability services.

This report examines the lived experiences of Aboriginal children and young people in Victoria and the factors contributing to their over-representation in the youth justice system.

This paper examines the recent downward trend of young Aboriginal people being imprisoned in New South Wales.

This report highlights that the current arrangements for reviewing deaths in custody are complex, with many of the functions overlapping across a number of different oversight bodies, and not one lead body to coordinate an effective approach.

This paper outlines concerns with the 2018 Deloitte Access Economics review of the implementation of the 339 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

This report examines court data for cases involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples sentenced in Queensland between July 2005 and June 2019.

The 2021 'Close the Gap' report showcases the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations throughout critical health crises in 2020, and how strengths-based approaches are the most effective way to improve health outcomes for Australia’s First Peoples.

This review provides a mainly qualitative sociological approach to receive and analyse stories and perspectives from those who work in or have otherwise experienced Murri Court.

This strategy document identifies key issues and makes targeted recommendations across criminal, civil and family law – with the objective of ensuring Aboriginal people are not left behind.

This is an evaluation report produced on behalf of the Kunga Stopping Violence Program (KSVP), a throughcare program supporting Aboriginal women who have been incarcerated in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre for an alleged violent offence. It replaces an earlier interim report, published August 2020.

This submission focuses on the rights of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the criminal, civil and family law systems.

This report contains detailed information on the 113 deaths in custody in 2018–19 (89 in prison custody and 24 in police custody or custody-related operations), and compares these findings to longer-term trends.

This research has found high use of seclusion and restraint in prisons, children and young people’s residences and health and disability units, particularly of Māori and Pacific Peoples, prompting calls from the NZ Human Rights Commission for detention agencies to shift their practices. This report...

This report has been prepared by the expert reference group appointed to advise the Victorian government on the decriminalisation of public drunkenness and the development of an alternative health-based response.

This document forms the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service's (VALS) submission to the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee Inquiry into the use of cannabis in Victoria (2020).

This is an interim evaluation report produced on behalf of the Kunga Stopping Violence Program (KVSP), a throughcare program supporting Aboriginal women who have been incarcerated in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre for an alleged violent offence. It outlines the initial findings of a broader...

In response to the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have compiled legal and policy reforms that need to be implemented to advance the cause of true justice in Australia.