Imprisonment of Aborigines in North Western Australia

• NCJ Number: 79240
• Author(s): A M E Duckworth; C R Foley-Jones; P Lowe; M Maller
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 41 pages
• Corporate Author: Western Australia Dept of Corrections
• Sale Source: Western Australia Dept of Corrections; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Research and Information Series paper number 21. A version of this paper was presented for discussion at the Conference of Ministers in Charge of Prisons, Probation and Parole, Takapuna New Zealand, 1981.

Annotation

Findings and recommendations are presented from a study of the impact of imprisonment on Aboriginal inmates in North Western Australia.

Abstract

Specific aims of the research were (1) to evaluate the extent to which imprisonment achieved the objectives of specific deterrence, general deterrence, and punishment; (2) to determine the effect imprisonment is having on the structure of traditionally oriented Aboriginal communities; and (3) to determine whether any vocational or leisure activities would be particularly popular or feasible in the institutions surveyed. The major research tools were interviews with 96 Aboriginal inmates (45 at Broome, 31 at Roebourne, and 20 at Wyndham) and demographic data on the interview population. The interview schedule had both open-ended and forced-choice questions. Overall, the findings show that imprisonment of Aborigines in North Western Australia achieves little of value, with the possible exception of performing a questionable welfare function. It is generally recommended that fines, community service orders, and other alternatives to institutionalization be used where feasible for Aboriginal offenders. In the case of drunkenness offenses, offenders should be taken to their residences rather than the police lockup. Prison training courses should provide literacy and arithmetic skills, along with vehicle maintenance and driving instruction. Courts should also make a special effort to explain to Aboriginal offenders the legal procedures in which they are involved, particularly the relationship between the offense, the verdict, and the sentence, so they may understand the importance of revising their future behavior to avoid repeating the consequences of their offense. An evaluation of the system of using Aboriginal justices of the peace to deal with legal issues in Aboriginal communities should also be conducted. Suggestions for further research are offered, along with 19 references. The questionnaire is appended.