Social Reinvestment WA aims to end the systemic over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in WA’s justice system.
Their vision is for a transformation of WA’s justice systems to build safer communities through prioritising the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of families, using smart justice approaches such as justice reinvestment.
Social Reinvestment WA was formed in 2014, after children at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre were sent to and held in the Hakea adult prison following a “riot”. While there were many individuals and families advocating for these young people, there was no established, unified sector voice to speak up for these young people and liaise with government to ensure humane treatment.
WACOSS is proud to be one of the first organisations to become involved with Social Reinvestment WA, as well as Reconciliation WA, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal Legal Service WA, Oxfam, Outcare, Amnesty International, Bringing Them Home WA (Yokai) and First Nations Deaths in Custody Watch Committee.