Youth justice is at a crossroads in Australia. In every state and territory across the nation, governments are grappling with youth justice issues as they seek to reduce crime, improve community safety and respond to public concern that is being fanned by sensationalised media coverage.
In order to inform the discussions around youth justice in Australia, Jesuit Social Services decided to look outside our borders for potential solutions.
In June 2017, senior leaders from the organisation undertook an international #JusticeSolutions study tour, visiting Norway, Germany, Spain, the US and the UK. During the tour we visited detention facilities, diversion programs and met with senior justice personnel, non-profit service providers, academics and youth justice advocates.
This report provides an overview of key themes that arose frequently during the tour and explores how they might be incorporated in Australian youth justice systems, from prevention and diversion through to detention and reintegration.
