The Greens NSW have launched their approach to reducing Indigenous incarceration rates, increasing community safety and ensuring community development.
Greens candidate for Drummoyne, Bernard Rooney, said “The Greens package aims to reduce the appalling number of Indigenous Australians in gaol by investing in quality public services.
“NSW imprisons more Indigenous people per capita than anywhere else in Australia. Young Indigenous people are twenty times more likely to be in gaol than other Australians. At the same time, year 12 retention rates for Indigenous school students are half the national average.
“This is an expensive business that damages families and communities and drains resources away from social programs.
“It costs $70,000 a year to keep an adult male in jail, and much more for a juvenile. When they are released, NSW prisoners have the highest recidivism rate in the country. Well-targeted and resourced post-release programs could reduce the number of people returning to gaol. (more…)
