This submission shares with the committee research and analysis by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) relating to the issues raised as part of the committee’s current Inquiry into Youth Justice Reform in Queensland (the inquiry).
I note that the terms of reference for the inquiry are specifically relevant to new IPA research highlighting the current shortcomings of the youth criminal justice system, and how alternative non-incarceration punishments for non-violent youth offenders can produce better outcomes for offenders and law-abiding Queenslanders. The research specifically targets Terms of Reference 2(b), 2(c)(i) and 2(c)(v) as well as priority areas 4 and 5 by reducing recidivism and ensuring the protection of the community through the establishment of on-country programs called Youth Rehabilitation Ranches.
The analysis finds that the current reliance on detention is not only unsustainable financially but is also not working to reduce the incidence of crime. IPA research provides reform directions to reduce the wasteful spending of taxpayer funds and improve crime prevention by implementing the evidence-based model from the United States which has operated youth ranches successfully for over two decades.
