Koori courts help cut repeat offences
Rob Hulls; 16/5/08
Many years ago, I was working with the Aboriginal Legal Service in Mount Isa and I sat in on a coronial inquest where the only witness to a single car collision was an old Aboriginal fellow. This man was called to give evidence as to what he saw in relation to this accident. He got into the witness box, looked around, and was so intimidated by the court surroundings that he said: “I will plead guilty.” That is what the justice system meant to him - a place where you plead guilty. This sad story reflects how many Aboriginal people are alienated by the traditional justice system. It also is indicative of why a culturally appropriate legal system is needed if we are to break the cycle of over-representation of indigenous offenders in our nation’s jails.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23704323-7583,00.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Legal