Criminology Research Council grant ; (24/90)
As a result of researching the television documentary it became apparent that many of the Koori juveniles in NSW detention centres could provide valuable information about their histories and why they were incarcerated which could not be fully encompassed in the documentary.
During October and November 1991, fifty young Kooris, one of whom was female, were interviewed. The juveniles ranged in age from 14 to 18 years, and were incarcerated at Kariong Secure Unit, Minda, Mt Penang, Reiby, and Yasmar juvenile detention centres. Many had been brought from the far north-west of the state, but others were from towns such as Taree and Kempsey, whose criminal justice system sent a high proportion of its Koori juvenile offenders away to detention. Others were from Redfern and the far western suburbs of Sydney. Some were incarcerated for their first offence, but most had been locked up before, and had become used to a lifestyle of coming into contact with the police.
The survey revealed that many had experienced racism at school, which was compounded by their first experiences with police, who were often rough and intimidating. Seventy per cent said they were bashed by police.
Their experience of courts and juvenile detention centres were also mostly negative, and many felt they were 'not treated the same as white people'. Getting out and starting again was also viewed with great pessimism.
Looking at the data collected in this survey, the question must seriously be asked what chance do these children have of being treated fairly and with justice in modern Australia.