Justice reinvestment diversionary programs like this have been consistently proven in all the research studies, both local and international, to be far superior in decreasing recidivism rates than traditional incarceration/punishment routes and, as if that alone wasn't enough of a great reason, costs the State orders of magnitude less to implement compared to incarceration with the benefits flowing back into the local economy and community versus into the corporate coffers of the huge multinational "big prison" contractors like Serco/G4S et al. And then, of course, there's the compounding benefit of connecting indigenous youth back to country and cultural wisdom. It's win/win all-round. We need to be diverting funding to building communities, not prisons. Great work on this awesome initiative, keep grinding!
Carbon Offsets Australia - 129,000ha for carbon projects Native Spirit Nursery - 5 million native plants per year Desire to Aspire (NFP) - focused on youth support All 100% Indigenous owned and managed
In response to the situation with youth detention in WA at present, I’d like to offer an alternative pathway to 10 young fellas who are at risk of being sent to detention. We’ve created a diversionary program for this particular group of our youth to undertake a Cert II in Horticulture whilst in a full time job at our Native Spirit Nursery. With special thanks to our client, ALUA, for allowing us to implement this program into our contract on a Metronet project. I know its not going to be easy but as Noongar people who understand the dire situation, who happen to have an opportunity that can facilitate some of these kids, we have to try something. We’re now taking referrals for these 10 positions. Please contact me at joanne@nativespiritnursery.com.au if you’d like to know more about this program or have referrals for the program.