Issue

Indigenous policing

Are indigenous people imprisoned more often than non-indigenous? Yes. Is it because indigenous people are inherently criminal? No way! Find out what's really going on.

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Submitted by: Rachel | 3 comments  VIEW COMMENTS

The facts

While Indigenous Australians make up only 2% of the total Australian population, they currently make up 22% of prisoners in Australian jails—and the rates are increasing. The number of imprisoned Indigenous Australians in 2005 was 5,656, up from 5,048 in 2004. This is a 12% increase in just one year.

Indigenous Australian adults are imprisoned at an average rate of 12 times that of non-indigenous Australians. In some states like Western Australia, the rate can reach as high as 19 times.

The majority of Indigenous prisoners (about 79%) are between the ages of 20 and 39.

Why are so many Indigenous Australians in prison?

There’s no simple answer as to why so many Indigenous Australians are imprisoned each year. It is a result of several social and economic conditions.

Poverty

Regardless of what country they live in or what ethnic background, people who live in poverty are more likely to commit crimes. Factors such as unemployment, poor living conditions, and hunger can cause high stress for impoverished people and can lead to acts of violence, stealing or substance abuse. Because many more Indigenous Australians live in poverty than non-Indigenous, they are more likely to commit crime.

Lack of community

Studies show that 21.8% of people who are taken away from their families as a child report being arrested at least once in their lives. With Australia’s policy regarding the separation of Indigenous Australian children from their families ending just 30 years ago, it’s easy to see how this can influence Aboriginal communities and crime rates.

Police brutality

Racist, violent behaviour by police plays a large factor in Aboriginal crime rates. Indigenous people are 15 times more likely to be arrested for public order ordinances, such as swearing in public, than non-Indigenous. Indigenous people are also more likely to die or be injured while in police custody than non-Indigenous.

How do I know this?

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2005, Prisoners in Australia, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/1020492cfc...!OpenDocument

New South Wales Department of Aboriginal Affairs and NSW Reconciliation Council Inc, Background Briefing: Law and Justice

Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/special/rsjproject/rs...
Discuss Now 3 comments

Marlabungu 09-Jan-2008

Our job is to represent our Aboriginal issues. Yours is to attempt to assimilate us into your society. Have a look at white australians - I mean are you seriuosly trying to suggest that your issues come close to what has happened to Aboriginal people. If there are more financial benefits for Aboriginal people, why not provide a list and let's discuss them instead of your broad progranda based statements. And what are these paths and avenues that you so proudly speak of and are working so well for your society.

You live on free land, free water and free food and you paid absolutely nothing for it. And now you want a free toyota.




Hiluxgirl 03-Dec-2007

You could flip the coin over Xavier and have a look at white Australian people. there is white deaths in custody, stolen wealth, domestic violence, less financial benefits then aboriginals are entitled too. So you got to look at all aspects.

Yes lack of education is a major contributing factor, so is alcoholism. There is plenty of avenues aboriginals can take to get on the right path, we just got to help them see it.

Xavier Snee 31-Jul-2006

There's more to this story than just prison! Black deaths in custody people, Stolen wealth, Domestic Violence (including Rape) of women and children, Lack of Education, No Financial benefits for the aboriginal businessmen c'mon people what are we doing to the NATIVES of AUSTRALIA???????