Sentencing of Indigenous Women – Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse

Sentencing of Indigenous Women

RB/CIP Number: 14

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Dr Lorana Bartels

Indigenous women remain overrepresented among defendants before courts and in prison populations, while being underrepresented on community corrections orders. Data and literature on the patterns and practices of sentencing of Indigenous women offenders in Australia are examined in this brief along with examples of custodial and non-custodial sentencing options and promising examples of programs seeking to address the specific needs of Indigenous women. Developments in Canada and New Zealand, where Indigenous women are likewise overrepresented in the criminal justice system, are also examined.

Last modified: January, 2023 | Found a broken link? Help us get it right. Email ijc@aic.gov.au

The Indigenous justice clearinghouse is a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Criminology, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Australian States and Territories and New Zealand.

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