Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute to the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee’s consultation on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options.
Our submission outlined our opposition to mandatory sentencing and recommended the repeal of all mandatory sentencing provisions in the NT under the Sentencing Act 1995, the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1990.
We also put forward recommendations for the implementation of more effective community-based options in the Northern Territory, informed by our recent research into Community Corrections Orders in Victoria, and highlighted the importance of wider system reforms that embed Aboriginal cultural authority, leadership and community participation within the justice system.
Our recommendations included:
Community Courts and resourcing of new and existing Law and Justice Groups to engage Aboriginal cultural authority and community participation in the sentencing process, under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement.
You can read our full submission here.