Victorian officials are determined to achieve zero Aboriginal young people in custody, regardless of legislative change.
Youth Justice Commissioner Andrea Davidson on Wednesday revealed the target, telling the Yoorrook Justice Commission the goal was unashamed and something authorities had “all intention of getting to.”
Youth Justice has made significant strides in slashing the number of Aboriginal young people in custody in recent years.
Between 2016 and 2017, there were more than 120 Aboriginal young people under Youth Justice’s supervision on an average day – a number that dwindled to 42 last year.
Despite the progress, Youth Justice deputy secretary Joshua Smith conceded the number was still “grossly too high.”…