Report to the Criminology Research Advisory Council
This research aimed to develop recommendations for effective throughcare strategies for Indigenous offenders. It follows a community-led approach, starting from the perceived needs of Indigenous peoples on return to their communities. The findings are the result of interviews with men and women in communities, with and without lived experience, community Elders and Respected people and local service providers. The research sites are the Kimberley region in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The interviews demonstrate that a thorough exit plan from prison is essential. However, for throughcare strategies to be effective, they should acknowledge the broader context of Indigenous involvement in the criminal justice system and the ongoing consequences of colonisation. Effective throughcare strategies must involve Indigenous peoples and the broader community, to break the cycle of offending and reoffending and address the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in prison.