A senate inquiry has handed down its report on youth incarceration in Australia, including examining the issue of the over-incarceration of First Nations children.
Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
The final report of a Senate inquiry has recommended the federal government work with states and territories to legislate national minimum standards on the treatment of incarcerated children.
It is one of four recommendations from the inquiry, which was launched after the deaths of two children in Western Australia's youth justice system.
The inquiry heard from more than 120 witnesses, with many calling for evidence-based approaches to reduce re-offending; including restorative justice, justice reinvestment and early intervention.
Witnesses also noted the over-representation of First Nations children; and the unprecedented rates of neurodisability and neurodevelopmental disorders among the children detained.
Nick Espie is the general manager of the national group representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, NATSILS.
He spoke with Tee Mitchell about the report's recommendations.
