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Justice Reinvestment is an approach that supports Aboriginal communities to find local solutions to local issues. The aim of Justice Reinvestment is to resource communities to develop and deliver solutions that reduce contact with the criminal justice system, including the police, courts, and prison.
It aims to support communities to identify the reasons why people end up in the criminal justice system in the first place, and then come up with a plan and programs that can make real change.
Justice Reinvestment is about thinking beyond the criminal justice system, understanding the underlying causes of offending, and coming up with impactful, local solutions. This may be implemented through initiatives that address interactions with the criminal justice system itself and/or address the social determinants of crime, which can include: out-of-home care, poor school education, early police contact, unsupported mental health and cognitive disability, drug and alcohol use, unstable housing, and other factors.
The NSW Justice Reinvestment Grant Program has been created to provide funding to Aboriginal communities in NSW to do Justice Reinvestment work.
Up to $7.5 million (excluding GST) in funding is available across three years from June 2024 to June 2027. Funding can be used by Aboriginal organisations to:
The NSW Justice Reinvestment Grant Program has two stages. Stage 1 is now closed:
Opened: 9am on Tuesday 23 January 2024
Closed 5pm on Monday 18 March 2024
Purpose: The first stage was to make sure organisations were eligible and to answer some questions that helped DCJ design the Stage 2 assessment criteria to meet the local needs of communities.
Opens: 9am on Tuesday 2 April 2024
Closes: 5pm on Monday 13 May 2024
Purpose: If your organisation or partnership was found to be eligible during Stage 1, you will recieve an invitation to submit a Full Grant Application during Stage 2 on Tuesday 2 April 2024.
In Stage 2 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled organisations (ACCOs) will have access to support from Thirriwirri to submit a full proposal and costing.
If you have questions or require support to apply for the NSW Justice Reinvestment Grant Program, please contact DCJ through justicereinvestment@dcj.nsw.gov.au
Read the Stage 2 Grant Guidelines (PDF, 224.8 KB)
Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
While Justice Reinvestment is about Aboriginal-led solutions, it is also about government supporting communities to identify issues and develop a plan for change. Government support can include:
Justice Reinvestment initiatives:
The NSW Government is committed to working closely and collaboratively with Aboriginal communities to achieve the targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Justice Reinvestment is aligned with the following Closing the Gap Targets:
DCJ is working towards building the connection of this work with the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms.
If you have questions, we’d like to hear from you. Please email justicereinvestment@justice.nsw.gov.au
11 Apr 2024