Circle Sentencing expanded to Sydney’s Downing | Australian Markets

The NSW Government is increasing the profitable Circle Sentencing program to Sydney’s Downing Centre.

Circle Sentencing is a program to help cut back reoffending, improve justice outcomes and improve neighborhood security.

It is accessible to eligible defendants who plead guilty to or are discovered guilty of prison offences in a native court docket.

Rather than being sentenced by a Justice of the Peace alone, defendants are sentenced by a Justice of the Peace alongside representatives from the native Aboriginal neighborhood, equivalent to elders.

In addition, the police prosecutor is at all times concerned whereas the sufferer can select to take part if they want.

The court docket has the complete sentencing energy of a conventional court docket for offenders who meet the standards and are assessed as appropriate.

A 2020 research by NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research discovered Aboriginal people who participated in Circle Sentencing have been 9.6 per cent much less seemingly to reoffend, in contrast to these sentenced to a non-custodial sentence in a conventional method.

In developing the sentence, the group discusses components together with the affect on the sufferer and what might be carried out to stop additional offending.

Sydney Downing Centre will maintain its first Circle Court at this time presided over by NSW Chief Magistrate, Judge Michael Allen.

Including the Downing Centre, Circle Sentencing now operates at 23 high-priority areas after starting in Nowra in 2002.

The Downing Centre will develop into the third metropolitan location following Mt Druitt in 2007 and Blacktown in 2010.

Attorney General Michael Daley stated:

“The NSW Government is investing in prevention and diversion measures to improve long-term outcomes for Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.

“People who participate in Circle Sentencing are less likely to reoffend.

“Expanding Circle Sentencing to Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court will empower more Aboriginal communities to be involved in the sentencing process.”

Chief Magistrate Judge Michael Allen stated:

“Circle Sentencing elsewhere in the state has been effective for a number of years in reducing recidivism, and I look forward to seeing similar success in Sydney.”

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