Justice

Justice

Justice Reinvestment is a transformative approach to addressing crime and its causes, focusing on shifting resources from punitive systems to community-based solutions. Instead of investing heavily in incarceration, this strategy channels funds into services like education, housing, and mental health support, targeting the root causes of criminal behaviour.
 
By empowering communities and addressing systemic inequalities, Justice Reinvestment aims to reduce incarceration rates and build stronger, more resilient communities.
This approach holds particular significance for Aboriginal communities and young people disproportionately impacted by the justice system. By prioritising prevention and rehabilitation over punishment, Justice Reinvestment fosters long-term solutions to break cycles of disadvantage. It represents a step toward justice that heals rather than harms, ensuring resources are used to create opportunities, not perpetuate inequities.
Justice Reinvestment is a transformative approach to addressing crime and its causes, focusing on shifting resources from punitive systems to community-based solutions. Instead of investing heavily in incarceration, this strategy channels funds into services like education, housing, and mental health support, targeting the root causes of criminal behaviour.
 
By empowering communities and addressing systemic inequalities, Justice Reinvestment aims to reduce incarceration rates and build stronger, more resilient communities.
 
This approach holds particular significance for Aboriginal communities and young people disproportionately impacted by the justice system. By prioritising prevention and rehabilitation over punishment, Justice Reinvestment fosters long-term solutions to break cycles of disadvantage. It represents a step toward justice that heals rather than harms, ensuring resources are used to create opportunities, not perpetuate inequities.

Progress Updates

Progress Updates

February 2025
  1. Activity Work Plan finalised with Attorney-General’s Department
  2. First Activity Work Plan Report delivered to Attorney-General’s Department
  3. Expansion of Justice Reinvestment Steering Committee membership – please contact us if you would like to join
  4. Initial yarning with “Justice Our Way” an initiative of Elders for Change in Townsville (led by Glenda Duffy) and kind invitation received to their Summit (Justice: Bigger than Just Us!) in March
  5. Good discussions with Justice Group Co-ordinator, Carlene Logan, including about importance of genuine community control in delivering of justice support services
  6. Meeting with Justice Reinvestment experts around community engagement  to build community understanding and engagement around Justice Reinvestment and get community input and planning for longer term Justice Reinvestment Strategy for Doomadgee 
  7. Commence mapping exercise for community engagement
  8. Meeting with Department of Justice & Attorney General officer hosting mediation training
  9. Department of Justice & Attorney General provided links to publicly available data (e.g. from QPS) with samples taken and discussed
  10. Preliminary work on development of data strategy based on generous assistance of the Yarrabah Leaders Forum
  11. Doomadgee United Rugby League Football Team formation initiatives continue
 
January 2025
  1. Additional members invited to join the Justice Reinvestment Steering Committee.  Thank you for your willingness to participate and provide your insights into this important work
  2. Second meeting of Justice Reinvestment Steering Committee
  3. Terms of Reference approved by the Justice Reinvestment Steering Committee – see JR Terms of Reference. 
  4. Activity Work Plan finalised with Attorney-General’s Department
  5. First Report on actions under Activity Workplan submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department
  6. GJ meets with Qld Department of Justice & Attorney General regarding opportunities for Justice Group and learning from other communities. Visit by DJAG officer planned.
  7. GJ meets with Doomadgee Justice Group Co-ordinator
  8. Request for key justice system data submitted to Queensland Government prepared and discussed
  9. Engagement commenced with Justice Reinvestment expert around data strategy and JR future action plan
  10. Dean Jupiter completes NRL Coaching Qualifications for Doomadgee United RLFT
  11. Community BBQ held – see the full photo album.
 
December 2024
  1. Gathering of initial members of Justice Reinvestment Steering Committee (JSRC)
    • Justice Reinvestment concept explored
    • GJ’s JR work-plan for Doomadgee discussed
    • Initial thoughts on initiatives as part of work plan discussed
    • Discussion of formation of Youth Council
  2. If you are interested in joining, please contact Preston Johnny or Allan George
  3. Preston Johnny and Allan George appointed as Co-Leads and regular meetings held with Project Manager (Berkeley Cox)
  4. Draft Terms of Reference developed by Preston and Allan for JSRC
  5. Activity Work Plan refined with Attorney-General’s Department
  6. GJ Web-page on Justice Reinvestment Created
  7. GJ joins Justice Reinvestment National Association and Allan & Preston join on-line forums with other communities around Queensland and Australia
  8. GJ meets with QATSICPP to discuss Justice Reinvestment
  9. Social media profiling of JR Project
  10. Draft request for Data from Queensland Government prepared and discussed
#image_title

Justice Reinvestment Steering Committee (L to R): Aston Koorabubba, Clarence Walden, Edrick Walden, Preston Johnny, Allan George,
and Tony Chong Jr.

Our CEO, Kieran Smith, shares insights on how the Justice Reinvestment program plays a vital role in shaping Gunawuna Jungai’s broader strategy and the meaningful impact it delivers to communities.
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One of our directors, Murry Walden, discussing with a survey with Allan George, one of the family
representative members.

BerkelEy Cox

Berkeley Cox

Consultant

Consultant

Berkeley Cox, a distinguished professional with extensive experience, is embarking on a significant new chapter with Gunawuna Jungai. As the founder of BC Cox Advisory and former Chief Executive Partner at King & Wood Mallesons, Berkeley’s reputation for strategic leadership is well-recognised. We are honoured to have him transition into a consultancy role, where his expertise will support high-level strategic development and guide critical initiatives.
 
In his new capacity, Berkeley will play a central role in advancing our Justice Reinvestment planning, a cornerstone of our efforts to foster meaningful systemic change. His contributions will drive innovative approaches to addressing the root causes of societal challenges, ensuring sustainable, community-focused outcomes.
This collaboration marks an exciting milestone for Gunawuna Jungai. With Berkeley’s strategic acumen and visionary leadership, we are confident in our ability to amplify the impact of our initiatives and reinforce our commitment to justice, equity, and community empowerment.

Connectional References

Connectional References

  1. Gunawuna Jungai Limited is proud to be part of the JRNA network — explore their website for a wealth of valuable resources here.
  2. Visit the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department’s Justice Reinvestment webpage for detailed information on Justice Reinvestment initiatives and commitments here.