Summary and Recommendations
The inquiry, prompted by the concerning trend of rising imprisonment rates in Queensland, seeks to understand the factors driving this increase and identify strategies to reverse it. The commission's report provides a detailed analysis of the criminal justice system in Queensland, focusing on the effectiveness of current approaches to imprisonment and recidivism.
Key Findings:
- Imprisonment rates in Queensland are increasing despite a long-term decline in crime rates.
- The costs of imprisonment are likely to outweigh the benefits at the current imprisonment rate.
- Imprisonment can have unintended negative consequences, including the loss of protective factors such as employment, accommodation, and social connections, which can increase the likelihood of reoffending.
- There are significant opportunities to reduce imprisonment and recidivism by improving rehabilitation and reintegration programs and services, adopting a victim-focused sentencing process, and investing in prevention and early intervention initiatives.
Key Recommendations:
- Improve Rehabilitation and Reintegration: The Queensland Corrective Services should publish a statement of intent outlining its commitment to reducing imprisonment by improving rehabilitation and reintegration. The commission recommends establishing performance indicators to increase accountability and transparency.
- Focus on Victim Restoration: The inquiry advocates for a victim-focused sentencing process that prioritises victim restoration and considers imprisonment as a residual sanction.
- Reduce Remand Population: The commission recommends developing guiding principles and risk assessment tools for bail decisions and improving court processes to reduce the time individuals spend on remand.
- Establish an Independent Inspectorate of Prisons: The report recommends establishing an independent body with information-gathering powers to oversee prison conditions and publish reports to ensure accountability.
- Improve Throughcare: The commission highlights the need for clear objectives, adequate resourcing, thorough prisoner assessment, and coordinated decision-making to enhance the effectiveness of throughcare services.
- Address Specific Needs: The report emphasises the importance of tailoring programs and services to the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, and young people to address the factors contributing to their over-representation in the criminal justice system.
The inquiry's recommendations provide a roadmap for reforming the criminal justice system in Queensland to reduce imprisonment and recidivism, ultimately aiming to improve community safety and well-being.
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