What does ‘justice reinvestment’ mean to me?

Just Reinvest NSW (2023)

Hear from the community members in Bourke, Moree and Mt Druitt about how they are implementing ‘justice reinvestment’ in their communities.

Justice reinvestment is a way of approaching high rates of incarceration in communities, by building strategies to address issues at a local level that are led by the community and informed by data. These strategies work on bringing about systematic change in care, education, health, policing, corrections and the law.

Redefining Reinvestment

Just Reinvest NSW (2023)

Justice reinvestment is a way of approaching high rates of incarceration in communities, by building strategies to address issues at a local level that are led by the community and informed by data. These strategies work on bringing about systematic change in care, education, health, policing, corrections and the law.

The goal is to create stronger and safer futures through both community-led initiatives and state-wide policy and legislative reform by redirecting funds away from systems that harm people to communities with high rates of contact with the justice system.

Mounty Yarns

Mt Druitt JR | Just Reinvest NSW (2023)

MountyYarns is a youth-led project that gathers the stories, expertise, and knowledge by and with Aboriginal young people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and the impact it has on them and their families.

Mounty Yarns reflects the experiences, strengths and resilience of young Aboriginal people living in Mt Druitt and the changes and solutions they want to see in order to create a better future for their families and communities.

“These stories show the challenges of growing up in Mt Druitt which leads to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people and the lack of youth voice in decision making. We want to be a voice so others don’t have to keep repeating their stories.”

“We present these yarns to you and ask that you listen and hear our truths. We hope that you hear our solutions and back us to make change.” – Terleaha Williams and Isaiah Sines.

Nothing About Us Without Us

Olabud Doogethu (Halls Creek JR) | Social Reinvestment WA (2020)

At the heart of justice reinvestment is creating a better future for our children and for our communities.

Olabud Doogethu (‘All of us together’ in Kriol) is Western Australia’s first justice reinvestment site in Halls Creek, co-designed and co-led by 11 Aboriginal communities, and the Shire of Halls Creek. And in the first 18 months they have reduced burglaries by 58%.

Together, they share their vision for smart justice, healthy families, and safer communities.

Men’s Tribal Centre in Halls Creek

Olabud Doogethu (Halls Creek JR) (2023)

Local Kija and Jaru Elder, Keith Jugarie, is one of many Elders working with Olabud Doogethu to set up a Men’s Tribal Centre in Halls Creek.

“In this town here, we have so many tribes here – we got Jaru, Kija, Walmajarri, Kukutja, and Bunuba. So many from different areas. They’re all here. A long time ago, it wasn’t like that… I like them to understand that we’ve got this thing up and going… There’s lots of people out there with plenty of good ideas… It’s a really good starting point, to get it up and going,” said Keith.

The Men’s Tribal Centre will be located on the old Halls Creek Golf Course, which is a traditional ceremonial area for Aboriginal men back in the day.

Building Bourke – The Story of Maranguka and Just Reinvest in Bourke

Maranguka (Bourke JR) | Just Reinvest NSW (2017)

The Maranguka Way is translated as ‘caring for others’. They developed a grassroots vision for improving outcomes and creating better coordinated support for vulnerable families and children through the true empowerment of the local Aboriginal community in Bourke, NSW, Australia. This video is one of the first insights into their story.

Justice Reinvestment Seminar

Change the Record (2022)

What IS Justice Reinvestment? and how is it changing lives and communities?

Hear from First Nations experts leading community programs in Western Australia, NSW & South Australia:

• Dean Mosquito, a Kija and Juru man and the Executive Officer for Culture and Transformation at Olabud Doogethu in Western Australia
• Deb Moyle, a Ngarrindjeri and Millewa-Mallee woman and Tiraapendi Wodli Program Manager
• Julie Williams, a Gamilaroi woman and the Mt Druitt Community Engagement Officer for Just Reinvest NSW

Tiraapendi Wodli

Tiraapendi Wodli (Port Adelaide JR) | Red Cross Australia(2019)

This week Red Cross South Australia in partnership with Justice Reinvestment SA (JRSA) is proud to share their support to the Tirapeendi Woodli, an aboriginal community leadership group in the western metropolitan area of Adelaide that works towards a safe and culturally strong community for Aboriginal families.