PROJECT 10% is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led campaign aimed at reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland prisons.

 
 
Five Key Action Areas

Through community consultation, Project 10% has identified actions in five key areas to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment in Queensland:

1. At risk groups, including young people

  • Leadership from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in working out solutions for their unique situations
  • An urgent focus on maternal health, early childhood development, child safety, and support for families and young people
  • Resources to support 'at risk' individuals, increase their resilience, support culture and strengthen families and communities to improve community well being
    • Reducing time in remand would reduce imprisonment at a stroke, would cost less than paying for people in prison, and with effective services would also help general community life.
      - Townsville community meeting, 2010

2. Contact with police

  • Will and action to change the culture of policing to develop positive policing that builds trust and mutual respect as an investment towards a strong, healthy community
  • Increased accountability in policing, justice and correctional services, supported by ongoing cultural education across the public sector
  • Support Elders and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in teaching culture and traditional law

3. Remand and sentencing

  • Change bail conditions and/or provide housing for homeless and transient men, women and young people.
  • Reform charging and court procedures to radically shorten remand times.
  • Appropriate treatment for people with mental health problems who come into contact with the justice system
    • Mental health is a major factor in increasing imprisonment, since de-institutionalisation. Prisons may detox inmates, but not rehabilitate them.
      - Rockhampton community meeting, 2010

4. In-prison programs

  • Support for culturally relevant programs that are shown to be successful
  • Individual programs based on enabling each prisoner to reintegrate into society on release

5. Post-release support

  • Sufficient supported accommodation for people to readjust to life outside and become functioning members of society
  • Increased support for Elders, Justice Groups and community organisations to help people reintegrate into society and reduce the risk of re-offending
  • Increase cultural and healing programs for postrelease prisoners to benefit from alcohol and drug rehabilitation for prisoners post-release