Maranguka Justice Reinvestment Evaluation (2018)
What was at stake
Community-controlled justice reinvestment in Bourke
What happened
The Maranguka Justice Reinvestment initiative was a community-led strategy in Bourke, New South Wales, addressing high rates of crime, family violence, and low school attendance within the local Aboriginal community. Facing significant social challenges and over-incarceration, the community, through the Maranguka Maihi Committee, developed and implemented localized solutions to improve justice outcomes and community well-being, diverting people from the criminal justice system and empowering local decision-making.
What the court decided
Aboriginal community-controlled program achieved 31:1 ROI. Family violence down 39%, juvenile charges down 38%, school attendance up 31%. Gold standard for justice reinvestment in Australia.
How the court got there
The KPMG independent evaluation concluded the Maranguka program was highly effective by meticulously analyzing data on crime rates, school attendance, and economic impact. Its success was attributed to the community-controlled model, which enabled the development of culturally relevant and effective interventions, directly linking program activities to significant positive shifts in key social indicators and an exceptional return on investment.
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Authoritative link
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