Aboriginal people in the Northern Rivers, and in the Sydney region, are twice as likely to receive a jail sentence than non-Indigenous offenders. They are also three times more likely to receive a jail sentence for public order crimes.
Data collated by the Sydney Morning Herald show that in 2019 alone, 16% of Indigenous offenders received a custodial sentence, compared to 8% of non-indigenous offenders.
For crimes such as offensive language, offensive conduct or failure to move on, 19% of Indigenous offenders received a jail sentence, compared to 6% of non-Indigenous people.
It’s no surprise that Law Enforcement and Governments unfairly target Indigenous Australians. However, these figures exemplify the discrimination that also sits within the Judiciary.
Drug-driving laws are one of the main issues that disproportionately affect Indigenous Australians. Now we see that simple public order offences result in Indigenous Australians spending time inside.
Having more Indigenous Australians inside prisons raise significant concerns due to the high number of Indigenous deaths in custody. This high rate of Indigenous prisoners also heightens the rate of Indigenous Prisoners having exposure to COVID-19 outbreaks in custody.
If you want to sue the police or corrective services for unlawful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution or police assault, battery or brutality, contact O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors on (02) 9261 4281 to set up a free appointment with the civil lawyers in our Sydney office.
