Indigenous inquiries point to solutions

WHAT PAST INDIGENOUS YOUTH INQUIRIES HAVE CALLED FOR:

* mental and physical health screening of indigenous youth entering the criminal justice system

* long-term individual care plans for youth in the system and exiting the system, covering mental health, housing, drug and alcohol support, social and cultural programs, education, employment and mentoring.

* national justice targets, independently monitored

* better funding of indigenous youth and family programs

* support for sporting, music and other recreational activities for indigenous children and youth outside of school hours, particularly in remote and regional areas

* more support for indigenous alcohol, anti-smoking and substance abuse programs.

* make foetal alcohol spectrum disorder a registered disability, eligible for support services in the health and education systems, and fund more research into the disorder.

* better data on school attendance and performance and provide incentives for school attendance

* more indigenous apprenticeships and training programs

* better cultural awareness training for police

* alternative sentencing options, not mandatory jail

* start rehabilitation process from the point at which a young person is charged with an offence.

(Source: Doing Time - Time for Doing report, June 2011)