Transitions from behind the fence to the community: The Australian experience

Abstract

The majority of young people involved with the juvenile justice system in Australia are male and aged between 10 and 17 years. Those that are sentenced to a juvenile justice sentence serve an average sentence of 6 months for offences such as burglary, assault, and dangerous driving. Similar to other countries, these youth often have complex needs and experience high rates of recidivism. Evidence-based transition planning processes have been shown to lower these rates. Although not legally mandated, juvenile justice and education systems in most Australian states have programs in place to support these young people in reconnecting with education and/or employment, their families, and the community upon their release. These supports are explored through the lens of the five areas of the Taxonomy of Transition Programming 2.0. The overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in the Australian juvenile justice system is discussed, along with possible reasons for this phenomenon. The typical experience of an incarcerated Aboriginal teen is illustrated through a case study. Recommendations for future practice are presented.