Amnesty International welcomes the recommendation put forward from a review of Queensland’s youth justice system that the focus must be on prevention and diversion programs, but calls on the QLD government to recognise and address the overrepresentation of Indigenous kids in the system and raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
The review was led by former police commissioner Bob Atkinson, who today released his recommendations. In response Amnesty International Indigenous Rights Campaigner Belinda Lowe said:
“Former Commissioner Atkinson has hit the nail on the head – we must keep kids out of prisons.”
“Former Commissioner Atkinson has hit the nail on the head – we must keep kids out of prisons.”
“Queensland’s youth prisons are overflowing, more than 80% of kids locked up haven’t even been sentenced yet and Indigenous kids are 30 times more likely to be locked up than their non-Indigenous peers – it’s outrageous.
“It’s great to see Bob Atkinson call on the QLD Government to catch up with the rest of the world and raise the minimum age that kids can be put behind bars. However, Australian medical, legal and human rights experts are calling for the age to be raised to at least 14 in line with the international median age and recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Small children under the age of fourteen belong in the community, not in prison. The age must be raised to 14 as soon as possible.
“Small children under the age of fourteen belong in the community, not in prison. The age must be raised to 14 as soon as possible.”
“Amnesty International strongly welcomes the key recommendation for the Queensland Government as a whole to adopt four pillars: intervene early, keep children out of court, keep children out of custody, and reduce reoffending. However given the overrepresentation of Indigenous kids there isn’t enough focus on Indigenous solutions and the leadership of Indigenous people and organisations in the reform.
“We know that programs that provide the care and support kids need to grow up strong and healthy, not behind bars, are the clear alternative, particularly for Indigenous children.
“The government needs to support the Indigenous leaders in the community with these ideas, and ensure they get the funding they need to make a difference in the lives of these kids.”
“The new Youth Justice Strategy is an opportunity for the Queensland Government to make a significant impact in the lives of thousands of children, and in particular, end the overrepresentation of Indigenous kids in prison.
