Thread by @ShoebridgeMLC

The First Nations inquiry which is looking at deaths in custody starts now with our first set of witnesses - we're looking at death in custody, over-representation of First Nations people in the justice system and what needs to change #NSWpol

Watch live: parliament.nsw.gov.au/pages/macquari…

Hearing from the Bar Association that there are concerns that the system is focused on "reporting" and not "doing" - we also see COVID has reduced prisoner numbers in NSW so it clearly can be done, if there is political will

Now @NSWYoungLawyers raised concerns about the targeting of young people especially Aboriginal people through strip searches and the Suspect Target Management Program.

@NSWYoungLawyers We need to redesign the system if we want different results say @NSWBar - it's targeting who it is meant to target, and we can't fix it by minor tinkering or additional training

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar The Lawyers Alliance says increases in First Nations women in custody is "terrifying" given the care-crime pathway where children removed from their families are over-represented in the justice system.

It’s the most important part of my job to ensure the voices calling for justice on the streets are heard in this place. Today is part of delivering on that promise.

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar Families are alienated by the Coronial process - it takes years for an inquiry, the evidence relies on police and corrective services and they are not kept informed about what's happening. They deserve better.

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar The exercise of discretion in the criminal justice system is a real person - police more likely to investigate and charge First Nations people, more likely to refuse bail, more likely to get a custodial sentence.

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar One easy law reform would be to get rid of the offensive language laws which overwhelmingly target young Aboriginal people.

These laws are shit. They should go.

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar We've now got @PIACnews giving evidence - they have done very important work on understanding the racist underpinning of the Suspect Target Management Program and its longer term impacts

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar @PIACnews Reminder that you can watch live here: parliament.nsw.gov.au/pages/macquari…

@NSWYoungLawyers @NSWBar @PIACnews Families often aren't told that the DPP will not prosecute cases and aren't given reasons why - this means the process often raises more questions for families than it answers

We’re returning soon for the afternoon session with these important witnesses ⬇️

Most of the children in juvenile justice facilities were previously known to family and community services - this applies for both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal young people

Inadequate health care and culturally inappropriate health care are a big issue and a real driver of harm of self and others in prisons

@RLC_CEO saying that without substantial reform to the oversight system the LECC is simply not powerful enough to do the job it needs to be doing

@RLC_CEO We've also got @womenslegalnsw on this panel - the continued increases in the number of First Nations women in prisons is a particular concern

@RLC_CEO @womenslegalnsw For First Nations women who are homeless they're often too scared too seek help because they're worried if they admit they have insecure housing that they will lose their kids - to be punished for being homeless by having your kids taken is next level brutality

@RLC_CEO @womenslegalnsw @womenslegalnsw telling us Aboriginal led services and trauma informed care programs are key to addressing this - there's a clear need to expand diversion options into culturally appropriate care

@RLC_CEO @womenslegalnsw The impact of gag orders on police settling civil cases is that we can't identify systemic issues - re @RLC_CEO

@RLC_CEO @womenslegalnsw The Dungay family giving evidence now - this is powerful in the room. They have the power of proud Dunghutti people.

@RLC_CEO @womenslegalnsw Recognition from the @NJP_Au that the colonial nature of the justice system is why it can't and doesn't deliver appropriate outcomes for First Nations people

@RLC_CEO @womenslegalnsw @NJP_Au If David Dungay had been in a public hospital he would not be dead. Instead he was at a hospital in a prison and at the mercy of the guards.

This is the end of only the first day of hearings and what we've heard already has been heart breaking and so important. I'll attempt to do a very brief summary of the evidence we've heard today and some of the take aways:

Key issues:
Lack of independent oversight
Police investigating police
"Discretion" sees First Nations people get worse outcomes
Lack of independent investigation of deaths in custody
No legal repercussions for deaths in custody
Lack of systemic data collection & analysis

Specific laws and policies that target First Nations people:
Suspect Target Management Program
Offensive language
Offensive conduct
(and many others!)

Justice reinvestment instead of more police and more prisons
Support for diversion and non-custodial programs
A First Nations Commissioner for the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission
Independent powers for the LECC or Coroner to investigate deaths in custody

Ensuring communication with First Nations families is central to the response to deaths in custody
First Nations data sovereignty
Dual addresses for bail
Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14
Expanding specialist courts

Here's tomorrow's witness list. You'll be able to watch live from here: parliament.nsw.gov.au/Pages/webcasts…