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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 10 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 3064 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Turning to the people we do incarcerate: it is worth reminding members that the vast majority of those in jail, particularly those who are there for property crime, are there for drug-related offences. It is also a fact that, proportionally, the ACT has the highest rate of indigenous incarceration in Australia. We are also well aware that there are real issues regarding drugs, crime and mental health. In that context, you would hope to see a comprehensive exploration of drug law reform or alternatives to incarceration, and so on.

I was interested to see a program in Victoria called the intensive community placement program. It is designed to support meaningful community reintegration to reduce the risk of reoffending, and that requires building up social networks and relationships. The program is an acknowledgment that, given the life story of most people who are incarcerated, particularly young men-young women as well, but the client profile I have is of young men-it is not surprising that they have ended up coming into conflict with the law through displaying anti-social behaviour.

A client profile that came from this Victorian program-which I am sure would be the same here-showed that, to varying degrees, young men exhibit psychological and emotional turmoil at adolescence, including peer-oriented, impulsive and acting-out behaviour, self-harm and aggressive behaviour and drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

They may have a lack of positive primary relationships and role models, poor communication skills, significant drug and alcohol problems and may often have been subjected to physical or sexual abuse. They often express their frustrations in verbally and/or physically aggressive behaviour towards their peers, staff and others.

Many will have a history of family dysfunction, abuse and neglect and negative school experiences, including school exclusion-as well as the temporary dysfunction related to the anxiety and stress of incarceration. These young people have often experienced a lack of primary health care and inadequate support networks. They may have a history of violent or other dangerous behaviour and may have had a previous substantial period in detention.

The point that profile makes is that, if we are serious about trying to stop reoffending, we have to design programs to take into account the fact that the stories of these people are often traumatic. We need to look at alternatives to incarceration that will help them become rehabilitated wherever possible. Obviously, in the case of very violent crimes where people are a danger to the community, that cannot apply.

I am hoping to see the government come up with a coherent approach that takes those issues into account. The comments of the Estimates Committee in regard to a time-out facility for offenders with a mental illness are evidence of the committee's concerns about this.

I was pleased to learn of the funding for a consumer law centre. Members will recall the frustration and anger expressed by a range of community groups when the Carnell/Humphries government chose to cut funding to CARE. As is clear in this budget, it is not a lot of money that was at stake and there was and is very strong community support for the project.

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