Schedule details

Event Agenda

Join us for an impactful four-day program dedicated to breaking the cycle of incarceration. The agenda features keynote sessions from leading justice and policy experts, cross-sector dialogues on systemic reform, and practical insights into collaboration and lifelong support for affected communities.

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7:00 Registration opens

8:40 Welcome to Country

8:50 Opening remarks from the Chair

Implementing co-design meaningfully across the justice sector

9:00 Opening Keynote: Implementing a co-design framework for clear, actionable delivery in justice reform

Establishing a clear starting point by assessing readiness, defining scope and identifying the right conditions for co-design in legal and justice contexts
Applying a structured co-design roadmap that includes phases such as scoping, engagement, sense-making, prototyping, decision-making and implementation
Using practical tools and methods including stakeholder mapping, power analysis, design principles and facilitation techniques to guide co-design from concept to impact

9:40 Case study: Leading with culture via Aboriginal-led program design at Acacia Prison

Shifting power through true partnership by co-designing programs with Aboriginal men to centre lived experience, trust, and cultural authority
Healing through culture and identity by embedding Elders, cultural learning and on-Country practices to restore connection, dignity and wellbeing
Reinvesting in what works by redirecting resources toward Aboriginal-led roles, services and post-release support that drive real outcomes

10:20 Morning refreshments

10:50 Shifting the power in co-design from consultation to true collaboration

Understanding the critical differences between consultation, engagement, co-design and co-production in justice settings
Examining what genuine power-sharing looks like across design stages, from agenda-setting to decision-making
Assessing strategies to redistribute power with communities and lived experience leaders in practice, not just intent

11:30 Panel discussion: Positioning lived experience as leadership via roles, pay and power in correctional facilities

Reframing lived experience as expertise that belongs in decision-making, not just consultation or storytelling roles
Designing formal pathways for leadership through equitable roles, fair remuneration and shared governance structures
Challenging tokenism by embedding structural change that centres lived experience in strategy, policy and service design

Panellists:

12:10 Networking luncheon

1:10 Case study: Evaluating co-design by measuring what matters

Distinguishing between performative metrics and meaningful indicators that reflect community-defined success in co-design
Exploring participatory evaluation methods that centre lived experience and reflect the values of equity and inclusion
Learning how to track and communicate impact beyond outputs by focusing on influence, relationship-building and systems change
Positioning ethical practice and boundaries in co-design metrics

1:50 Case study: Aligning procurement with practice by funding co-design meaningfully

Examining how traditional funding and commissioning models can constrain or undermine authentic co-design efforts
Exploring adaptive procurement strategies that enable flexibility, collaboration, and equity in co-design processes
Identifying practical changes funders and commissioning bodies can make to support long-term, values-aligned co-design initiatives

2:30 Afternoon refreshments

3:00 Leveraging cross-sector learnings to strengthen co-design in court settings

Distinguishing between performative metrics and meaningful indicators that reflect community-defined success in co-design
Exploring participatory evaluation methods that centre lived experience and reflect the values of equity and inclusion
Learning how to track and communicate impact beyond outputs by focusing on influence, relationship-building and systems change
Positioning ethical practice and boundaries in co-design metrics

3:40 Mini workshop: Embedding trauma-informed co-design in legal services

Designing with people who have experienced incarceration, violence or systemic injustice demands a trauma-informed approach grounded in safety, care and respect. In this interactive session, you’ll learn the foundations of trauma-aware co-design, explore real world techniques for creating safe engagement spaces, and participate in a guided group exercise to apply these principles in practice. Whether you’re a facilitator, policymaker, or service provider, this session will help you design processes that do no harm by building trust, agency, and healing.

In this mini workshop, you’ll learn how to:

Recognise the impacts of systemic harm and trauma on participation, safety and trust in co-design processes
Implement practical techniques to create psychologically safe, culturally responsive and empowering co-design environments
Practice trauma-informed facilitation through guided group exercises that centre care, consent and relational accountability

4:40 Closing remarks from the Chair and end of pre-conference

7:00 Registrations opens

8:40 Welcome to Country

8:50 Opening remarks from the Chair

Breaking the cycle of incarceration via systemic reforms

9:00 Opening Address: Redesigning justice to reduce harm and improve community safety

Articulating a vision for justice reform that moves beyond punishment to prioritise prevention, rehabilitation and community safety
Highlighting current and planned cross-sector initiatives that tackle the root causes of incarceration such as housing instability, family violence and mental health
Committing to embed accountability and outcomes that reflect long-term impact, reduced system contact, increased wellbeing and stronger community trust

9:40 International Keynote:

10:20 Morning refreshments

A

Optimising prevention and early intervention strategies

B

Centring culture to restore connection between people and place

C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

10:50 Confronting the impacts of intergenerational trauma on families and communities

Supporting families to break cycles of justice involvement
Embedding trauma-informed practice in prevention efforts
Developing multi-agency strategies that incorporate healing-informed approaches to disrupt intergenerational justice system contact

11:30 Justice or just brutality? Castrating the Northern Territory’s future with broken law and broken logic

Examining the unintended consequences of current justice policies in the NT by exploring how they impact youth pathways, community wellbeing and long-term outcomes
Identifying systemic gaps and structural barriers that perpetuate cycles of disadvantage and overrepresentation of First Nations peoples
Showcasing evidence-based, community-driven solutions that prioritise prevention, cultural safety and sustainable justice reform

12:10 Panel discussion: Adopting early intervention strategies to address the root causes of offending through tailored support, education and empowerment

Embedding family and community-led approaches that strengthen cultural identity, resilience and belonging to reduce risk factors for offending
Addressing systemic social determinants of justice involvement by integrating housing, health, education and economic supports to prevent offending
Leveraging targeted educational and vocational pathways as critical tools to disrupt intergenerational cycles of offending and incarceration

Panellists:

10:50 Addressing cultural load, burnout and leadership development for Indigenous workers

Examining strategies to mitigate cultural load and secondary trauma among Aboriginal staff working in courts, corrections and policing environments
Exploring workforce planning approaches to support sustainable career progression, retention and leadership pipelines for Aboriginal employees
Identifying policy and management practices that strengthen culturally safe supervision, peer support and organisational accountability

11:30 Case study: Reducing the over-incarceration of Aboriginal women through systemic reform in safety, dignity and healing

Analysing drivers of Aboriginal women’s over-incarceration and barriers to culturally safe and gender-responsive alternatives
Advancing systemic reforms that prioritise safety, dignity and healing within policing, courts and corrections
Strengthening interagency coordination to deliver effective diversion, bail support and rehabilitation pathways

12:10 Implementing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels in family dispute resolution

Establishing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels to enhance culturally safe family dispute resolution processes
Integrating Aboriginal cultural authority and knowledge into mediation and decision-making frameworks
Strengthening practitioner capability to facilitate culturally appropriate and trauma-informed dispute resolution

10:50 Breathwork and mindful movement session

This session offers trauma-aware techniques through guided breathwork and gentle movement practices to support nervous system regulation, reduce stress and enhance overall wellbeing. Suitable for all bodies and experience levels, delegates can expect a calming space to ground, release tension, and return to the program feeling re-centred and restored.

11:50 Yarning circle:

This engaging and interactive session encourages active participations as it invites you to share your valuable insights and key takeaways. We invite you to be an integral part of this process, sharing the lessons you’ve learned and providing your perspective on shaping the future of justice in Australia.

12:50 Networking luncheon

1:50 Case study: Empowering youth through early support and justice diversion

Enhancing diversion pathways for young people by integrating culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and justice-led interventions
Examining the role of community policing in early identification and prevention of youth justice system contact
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration to expand effective youth diversion programs and support services

2:30 Supporting regional and remote communities with culturally led prevention strategies

Embedding culture, Country and community authority at the heart of prevention to strengthen resilience and reduce pathways into the justice system
Applying place-based early intervention models that leverage local knowledge and cross-sector collaboration to reduce justice system entry
Strengthening partnerships between justice agencies and Aboriginal communities to enhance culturally responsive early intervention and prevention initiatives

1:50 Panel discussion: Delivering wrap-around and holistic SEWB services designed to address First Nations offending and recidivism

Strengthening identity, resilience, and connection as protective factors against offending
Coordinating cross-sector responses spanning health, housing, corrections and legal supports
Enhancing culturally safe case management and referral pathways to support sustained outcomes

Panellists:

2:30 Case study: Embedding culturally trauma-informed best practice in frontline court work

Ensuring hearings, interactions and processes are safe, supportive and culturally grounded
Strengthening cultural competence in case management and courtroom procedures to reduce re-traumatisation risks
Enhancing practitioner capability through ongoing professional development focused on trauma, culture and justice system dynamics

1:50 “Inner Resource” Mapping:

This interactive breakout session invites delegates to reflect on and identify their personal strengths, coping strategies, and support networks. Using a guided worksheet, participants will map out their “inner resources” the tools, values, and connections that help them navigate stress, change, or trauma. By the end of the session, each person will walk away with a personalised resilience map they can return to in challenging moments, fostering self-awareness, empowerment, and emotional preparedness.

2:30 Yarning circle:

Stream A

Optimising prevention and early intervention strategies

Chair:

10:50 Confronting the impacts of intergenerational trauma on families and communities

Supporting families to break cycles of justice involvement
Embedding trauma-informed practice in prevention efforts
Developing multi-agency strategies that incorporate healing-informed approaches to disrupt intergenerational justice system contact

11:30 Justice or just brutality? Castrating the Northern Territory’s future with broken law and broken logic

Examining the unintended consequences of current justice policies in the NT by exploring how they impact youth pathways, community wellbeing and long-term outcomes
Identifying systemic gaps and structural barriers that perpetuate cycles of disadvantage and overrepresentation of First Nations peoples
Showcasing evidence-based, community-driven solutions that prioritise prevention, cultural safety and sustainable justice reform

12:10 Panel discussion: Adopting early intervention strategies to address the root causes of offending through tailored support, education and empowerment

Embedding family and community-led approaches that strengthen cultural identity, resilience and belonging to reduce risk factors for offending
Addressing systemic social determinants of justice involvement by integrating housing, health, education and economic supports to prevent offending
Leveraging targeted educational and vocational pathways as critical tools to disrupt intergenerational cycles of offending and incarceration

Panellists:

12:50 Networking luncheon

1:50 Case study: Empowering youth through early support and justice diversion

Enhancing diversion pathways for young people by integrating culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and justice-led interventions
Examining the role of community policing in early identification and prevention of youth justice system contact
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration to expand effective youth diversion programs and support services

2:30 Supporting regional and remote communities with culturally led prevention strategies

Embedding culture, Country and community authority at the heart of prevention to strengthen resilience and reduce pathways into the justice system
Applying place-based early intervention models that leverage local knowledge and cross-sector collaboration to reduce justice system entry
Strengthening partnerships between justice agencies and Aboriginal communities to enhance culturally responsive early intervention and prevention initiatives

Stream B

Centring culture to restore connection between people and place

Chair:

10:50 Addressing cultural load, burnout and leadership development for Indigenous workers

Examining strategies to mitigate cultural load and secondary trauma among Aboriginal staff working in courts, corrections and policing environments
Exploring workforce planning approaches to support sustainable career progression, retention and leadership pipelines for Aboriginal employees
Identifying policy and management practices that strengthen culturally safe supervision, peer support and organisational accountability

11:30 Case study: Reducing the over-incarceration of Aboriginal women through systemic reform in safety, dignity and healing

Analysing drivers of Aboriginal women’s over-incarceration and barriers to culturally safe and gender-responsive alternatives
Advancing systemic reforms that prioritise safety, dignity and healing within policing, courts and corrections
Strengthening interagency coordination to deliver effective diversion, bail support and rehabilitation pathways

12:10 Implementing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels in family dispute resolution

Establishing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels to enhance culturally safe family dispute resolution processes
Integrating Aboriginal cultural authority and knowledge into mediation and decision-making frameworks
Strengthening practitioner capability to facilitate culturally appropriate and trauma-informed dispute resolution

12:50 Networking luncheon

Stream C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

10:50 Breathwork and mindful movement session

11:50 Yarning circle:

12:50 Networking luncheon

3:10 Afternoon refreshments

1 If funding is the barrier to bail reform, what other solutions can stop someone being unnecessarily detained overnight, weekends and until they can be picked up?

2 What strategies are in your toolbox to de-escalate reactive behaviours, and do they work?

3 What are the ethical tensions in co-design within justice contexts and how can practitioners balance power, safety and accountability with lived experience?

4 What is achievable and actionable to minimise staff burnout and vicarious trauma?

4:20 Innovating justice by harnessing technology and data to transform systemic outcomes

Exploring the integration of AI-driven risk assessment and predictive analytics to enhance decision-making in courts and corrections
Leveraging digital platforms to improve access to justice, streamline case management and increase transparency
Addressing ethical considerations and ensuring cultural safety in the deployment of technology across the justice system

5:20 Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference day one

8:00 Registration opens

8:50 Opening remarks from the Chair

Preventing incarceration through cross-sector partnerships

9:00 International keynote

9:40 Panel discussion: Examining integrated approaches via collaborative efforts across legal and justice systems to strengthen trust and deliver lasting justice reform

Identifying and addressing systemic barriers by examining why past efforts to close the gap have fallen short and what needs to change to achieve real progress
Developing integrated justice systems that prioritise early intervention, culturally informed practices, and ongoing adaptation to community needs for better outcomes
Establishing integrated, proactive approached that move beyond reactive responses to build client trust, improve engagement, and address systemic gaps hindering progress

Panellists:

10:20 Morning refreshments

A

Improving outcomes within the system

B

Preparing for release and reintegration

C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

10:50 Strengthening two-way information sharing across family law, child protection and justice systems

Supporting informed and appropriate decision-making in circumstances where there is, or may be, a risk of family violence, child abuse or neglect
Working in partnership to improve collaboration between systems to streamline processes and practices
Building on the success of the Co-location Program to remove barriers to information sharing and eliminate gaps between these intersecting systems

11:30 Reducing deaths in custody through enhanced oversight and cultural safety

Strengthening custodial monitoring systems and incident review processes to improve accountability and risk mitigation
Embedding cultural safety and trauma-informed practice in staff training to reduce harm to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody
Advancing cross-agency protocols and clinical governance frameworks to support early intervention and prevent in-custody fatalities

12:10 Panel discussion: Expanding restorative justice and community court models for First Nations youth

Developing culturally responsive restorative justice frameworks that address underlying drivers of youth offending
Integrating community court principles to support diversion, rehabilitation and culturally appropriate sentencing options
Elevating partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to strengthen program design and delivery

Panellists:

10:50 Case study: Strengthening pre-release planning for safer transitions

Embedding suicide prevention and mental health screening in custodial case management
Coordinating in-custody AOD treatment with post-release service continuity
Strengthening corrections–health partnerships for culturally safe transitions

Panellists:

11:30 Panel discussion: Building post-release pathways for lasting reintegration

Securing housing, employment and community support before release
Integrating trauma-informed, culturally safe assessment into reintegration planning
Building multi-agency case management for seamless custody-to-community care

Panellists:

12:10 Delivering wrap-around support to reduce youth offender recidivism

Integrating intensive case management approaches to address criminogenic needs and risk factors for reoffending
Coordinating cross-sector services including education, housing, mental health and family supports to stabilise at-risk youth
Embedding culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices into diversion and rehabilitation programs

10:50 Affirmation Card Making

11:50 Yarning circle:

12:50 Networking luncheon

1:50 Fireside chat: Building disability capability across police, courts and corrections

Improving practitioner capability in identifying and managing cognitive and psychosocial disability within justice processes
Embedding disability awareness and reasonable adjustment requirements into operational policy and training curricula
Facilitating cross-sector collaboration to ensure consistent, rights-based management of people with disability across police, court and custodial settings

2:30 Case study : Culturally safe care in Justice: The new Aboriginal health directorate and model of care

Establishing Indigenous-led governance to embed cultural values and self-determination in the design and oversight of health services in justice settings
Delivering integrated, culturally safe care that responds to the holistic health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody
Building strong cross-sector partnerships between justice, health and community to ensure continuity of care and culturally anchored support

1:50 Case study: Strengthening culturally informed and purposeful First Nations reintegration strategies

Embedding culturally safe, community-led approaches into post-release planning and supervision frameworks
Coordinating holistic supports addressing housing, employment, family reunification, and cultural connection to reduce recidivism
Enhancing partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to deliver responsive reintegration programs

2:30 Panel discussion: Managing media influence on police decision-making in frontline justice

Addressing the impact of media narratives on operational discretion and officer decision-making within policing frameworks
Enhancing training on media literacy, ethical decision-making and maintaining procedural integrity under public scrutiny
Developing organisational policies to support officers in balancing community expectations with evidence-based policing practice

Moderator:

Panellists:

1:50 Breathwork and mindful movement session

2:30 Yarning circle:

3:10 Afternoon refreshments

3:40 Reframing justice systems to reduce incarceration and support a human-centric approach

Realigning how success is defined across legal and justice settings by centring wellbeing, stability and growth over compliance or recidivism
Exploring system-wide reforms and cross-sector strategies that interrupt incarceration pathways and address root causes
Identifying practical metrics and organisational changes that enable justice institutions to empower individuals and measure what truly matters /li>

4:20 Closing Address: Establishing meaningful partnerships across government agencies and sector partners to improve system effectiveness

Fostering collaborative governance models that break down silos and align priorities across justice, health, housing and social services
Leveraging shared data and resources to drive coordinated responses and measure cross-sector impact effectively
Creating sustainable partnerships grounded in trust, mutual accountability and community engagement to transform systemic outcomes

5:00 Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference

9:00 - 12:00 Workshop A Building place-based justice reinvestment strategies

Justice reinvestment is a popular, widely endorsed approach in Australia’s justice policy landscape, with clear government commitments including Closing the Gap Target 10. Yet despite strong political support and high-level strategy documents, local regions and communities often struggle to translate the concept into practical, funded action or secure sustainable funding beyond pilots.

This interactive workshop will unpack how to design a practical justice reinvestment roadmap for your community. Delegates will learn how to build governance structures, secure sustainable funding and develop culturally meaningful metrics to reduce incarceration and strengthen community safety.

Attend this workshop and learn how to:

Identify local drivers, gaps and assets for successful place-based planning
Tailor a draft roadmap or action plan to region, community, or organisation
Use practical tools for funding proposals and negotiations
Embed cultural governance and community leadership strategically
Measure outcomes and evaluate using the right templates

Facilitator:

12:00 Networking luncheon

1:00 - 4:00 Workshop B Embedding disability and cognitive disability awareness in justice practice

This hands-on workshop is for justice professionals who work with people whose disability or cognitive needs often go unrecognised. Participants will learn how to identify and respond to disability-related needs in culturally safe, trauma-informed ways by reducing risk, improving diversion and reintegration outcomes, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships for better community safety. You will leave with practical tools, tested communication strategies, and a personalised plan to make your service more accessible and engagement more inclusive, and effective for people with disability.

By attending this workshop, you will learn how to:

Recognise signs of cognitive disability, FASD, and neurodivergence in justice settings, using simple screening and identification tools
Communicate more effectively with people with disability using trauma-informed, culturally safe approaches
Improve service navigation and referral by mapping local health, disability, and community partners
Build stronger cross-sector partnerships to deliver wraparound supports that reduce incarceration risk
Create a targeted action plan to embed culturally safe, disability-responsive practice in your team or service

Facilitator:

7:00 Registration opens

8:40 Welcome to Country

8:50 Opening remarks from the Chair

Implementing co-design meaningfully across the justice sector

9:00 Opening Keynote: Implementing a co-design framework for clear, actionable delivery in justice reform

Establishing a clear starting point by assessing readiness, defining scope and identifying the right conditions for co-design in legal and justice contexts
Applying a structured co-design roadmap that includes phases such as scoping, engagement, sense-making, prototyping, decision-making and implementation
Using practical tools and methods including stakeholder mapping, power analysis, design principles and facilitation techniques to guide co-design from concept to impact

9:40 Case study: Leading with culture via Aboriginal-led program design at Acacia Prison

Shifting power through true partnership by co-designing programs with Aboriginal men to centre lived experience, trust, and cultural authority
Healing through culture and identity by embedding Elders, cultural learning and on-Country practices to restore connection, dignity and wellbeing
Reinvesting in what works by redirecting resources toward Aboriginal-led roles, services and post-release support that drive real outcomes

10:20 Morning refreshments

10:50 Shifting the power in co-design from consultation to true collaboration

Understanding the critical differences between consultation, engagement, co-design and co-production in justice settings
Examining what genuine power-sharing looks like across design stages, from agenda-setting to decision-making
Assessing strategies to redistribute power with communities and lived experience leaders in practice, not just intent

11:30 Panel discussion: Positioning lived experience as leadership via roles, pay and power in correctional facilities

Reframing lived experience as expertise that belongs in decision-making, not just consultation or storytelling roles
Designing formal pathways for leadership through equitable roles, fair remuneration and shared governance structures
Challenging tokenism by embedding structural change that centres lived experience in strategy, policy and service design

Panellists:

12:10 Networking luncheon

1:10 Case study: Evaluating co-design by measuring what matters

Distinguishing between performative metrics and meaningful indicators that reflect community-defined success in co-design
Exploring participatory evaluation methods that centre lived experience and reflect the values of equity and inclusion
Learning how to track and communicate impact beyond outputs by focusing on influence, relationship-building and systems change
Positioning ethical practice and boundaries in co-design metrics

1:50 Case study: Aligning procurement with practice by funding co-design meaningfully

Examining how traditional funding and commissioning models can constrain or undermine authentic co-design efforts
Exploring adaptive procurement strategies that enable flexibility, collaboration, and equity in co-design processes
Identifying practical changes funders and commissioning bodies can make to support long-term, values-aligned co-design initiatives

2:30 Afternoon refreshments

3:00 Leveraging cross-sector learnings to strengthen co-design in court settings

Distinguishing between performative metrics and meaningful indicators that reflect community-defined success in co-design
Exploring participatory evaluation methods that centre lived experience and reflect the values of equity and inclusion
Learning how to track and communicate impact beyond outputs by focusing on influence, relationship-building and systems change
Positioning ethical practice and boundaries in co-design metrics

3:40 Mini workshop: Embedding trauma-informed co-design in legal services

In this mini workshop, you’ll learn how to:

Recognise the impacts of systemic harm and trauma on participation, safety and trust in co-design processes
Implement practical techniques to create psychologically safe, culturally responsive and empowering co-design environments
Practice trauma-informed facilitation through guided group exercises that centre care, consent and relational accountability

4:40 Closing remarks from the Chair and end of pre-conference

7:00 Registrations opens

8:40 Welcome to Country

8:50 Opening remarks from the Chair

Breaking the cycle of incarceration via systemic reforms

9:00 Opening Address: Redesigning justice to reduce harm and improve community safety

Articulating a vision for justice reform that moves beyond punishment to prioritise prevention, rehabilitation and community safety
Highlighting current and planned cross-sector initiatives that tackle the root causes of incarceration such as housing instability, family violence and mental health
Committing to embed accountability and outcomes that reflect long-term impact, reduced system contact, increased wellbeing and stronger community trust

9:40 International Keynote:

10:20 Morning refreshments

A

Optimising prevention and early intervention strategies

B

Centring culture to restore connection between people and place

C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

10:50 Confronting the impacts of intergenerational trauma on families and communities

Supporting families to break cycles of justice involvement
Embedding trauma-informed practice in prevention efforts
Developing multi-agency strategies that incorporate healing-informed approaches to disrupt intergenerational justice system contact

11:30 Justice or just brutality? Castrating the Northern Territory’s future with broken law and broken logic

Examining the unintended consequences of current justice policies in the NT by exploring how they impact youth pathways, community wellbeing and long-term outcomes
Identifying systemic gaps and structural barriers that perpetuate cycles of disadvantage and overrepresentation of First Nations peoples
Showcasing evidence-based, community-driven solutions that prioritise prevention, cultural safety and sustainable justice reform

12:10 Panel discussion: Adopting early intervention strategies to address the root causes of offending through tailored support, education and empowerment

Embedding family and community-led approaches that strengthen cultural identity, resilience and belonging to reduce risk factors for offending
Addressing systemic social determinants of justice involvement by integrating housing, health, education and economic supports to prevent offending
Leveraging targeted educational and vocational pathways as critical tools to disrupt intergenerational cycles of offending and incarceration

Panellists:

10:50 Addressing cultural load, burnout and leadership development for Indigenous workers

Examining strategies to mitigate cultural load and secondary trauma among Aboriginal staff working in courts, corrections and policing environments
Exploring workforce planning approaches to support sustainable career progression, retention and leadership pipelines for Aboriginal employees
Identifying policy and management practices that strengthen culturally safe supervision, peer support and organisational accountability

11:30 Case study: Reducing the over-incarceration of Aboriginal women through systemic reform in safety, dignity and healing

Analysing drivers of Aboriginal women’s over-incarceration and barriers to culturally safe and gender-responsive alternatives
Advancing systemic reforms that prioritise safety, dignity and healing within policing, courts and corrections
Strengthening interagency coordination to deliver effective diversion, bail support and rehabilitation pathways

12:10 Implementing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels in family dispute resolution

Establishing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels to enhance culturally safe family dispute resolution processes
Integrating Aboriginal cultural authority and knowledge into mediation and decision-making frameworks
Strengthening practitioner capability to facilitate culturally appropriate and trauma-informed dispute resolution

10:50 Breathwork and mindful movement session

11:50 Yarning circle:

12:50 Networking luncheon

1:50 Case study: Empowering youth through early support and justice diversion

Enhancing diversion pathways for young people by integrating culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and justice-led interventions
Examining the role of community policing in early identification and prevention of youth justice system contact
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration to expand effective youth diversion programs and support services

2:30 Supporting regional and remote communities with culturally led prevention strategies

Embedding culture, Country and community authority at the heart of prevention to strengthen resilience and reduce pathways into the justice system
Applying place-based early intervention models that leverage local knowledge and cross-sector collaboration to reduce justice system entry
Strengthening partnerships between justice agencies and Aboriginal communities to enhance culturally responsive early intervention and prevention initiatives

1:50 Panel discussion: Delivering wrap-around and holistic SEWB services designed to address First Nations offending and recidivism

Strengthening identity, resilience, and connection as protective factors against offending
Coordinating cross-sector responses spanning health, housing, corrections and legal supports
Enhancing culturally safe case management and referral pathways to support sustained outcomes

Panellists:

2:30 Case study: Embedding culturally trauma-informed best practice in frontline court work

Ensuring hearings, interactions and processes are safe, supportive and culturally grounded
Strengthening cultural competence in case management and courtroom procedures to reduce re-traumatisation risks
Enhancing practitioner capability through ongoing professional development focused on trauma, culture and justice system dynamics

1:50 “Inner Resource” Mapping:

2:30 Yarning circle:

Stream A

Optimising prevention and early intervention strategies

Chair:

10:50 Confronting the impacts of intergenerational trauma on families and communities

Supporting families to break cycles of justice involvement
Embedding trauma-informed practice in prevention efforts
Developing multi-agency strategies that incorporate healing-informed approaches to disrupt intergenerational justice system contact

11:30 Justice or just brutality? Castrating the Northern Territory’s future with broken law and broken logic

Examining the unintended consequences of current justice policies in the NT by exploring how they impact youth pathways, community wellbeing and long-term outcomes
Identifying systemic gaps and structural barriers that perpetuate cycles of disadvantage and overrepresentation of First Nations peoples
Showcasing evidence-based, community-driven solutions that prioritise prevention, cultural safety and sustainable justice reform

12:10 Panel discussion: Adopting early intervention strategies to address the root causes of offending through tailored support, education and empowerment

Embedding family and community-led approaches that strengthen cultural identity, resilience and belonging to reduce risk factors for offending
Addressing systemic social determinants of justice involvement by integrating housing, health, education and economic supports to prevent offending
Leveraging targeted educational and vocational pathways as critical tools to disrupt intergenerational cycles of offending and incarceration

Panellists:

12:50 Networking luncheon

1:50 Case study: Empowering youth through early support and justice diversion

Enhancing diversion pathways for young people by integrating culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and justice-led interventions
Examining the role of community policing in early identification and prevention of youth justice system contact
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration to expand effective youth diversion programs and support services

2:30 Supporting regional and remote communities with culturally led prevention strategies

Embedding culture, Country and community authority at the heart of prevention to strengthen resilience and reduce pathways into the justice system
Applying place-based early intervention models that leverage local knowledge and cross-sector collaboration to reduce justice system entry
Strengthening partnerships between justice agencies and Aboriginal communities to enhance culturally responsive early intervention and prevention initiatives

Stream B

Centring culture to restore connection between people and place

Chair:

10:50 Addressing cultural load, burnout and leadership development for Indigenous workers

Examining strategies to mitigate cultural load and secondary trauma among Aboriginal staff working in courts, corrections and policing environments
Exploring workforce planning approaches to support sustainable career progression, retention and leadership pipelines for Aboriginal employees
Identifying policy and management practices that strengthen culturally safe supervision, peer support and organisational accountability

11:30 Case study: Reducing the over-incarceration of Aboriginal women through systemic reform in safety, dignity and healing

Analysing drivers of Aboriginal women’s over-incarceration and barriers to culturally safe and gender-responsive alternatives
Advancing systemic reforms that prioritise safety, dignity and healing within policing, courts and corrections
Strengthening interagency coordination to deliver effective diversion, bail support and rehabilitation pathways

12:10 Implementing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels in family dispute resolution

Establishing Elder-informed circles and cultural panels to enhance culturally safe family dispute resolution processes
Integrating Aboriginal cultural authority and knowledge into mediation and decision-making frameworks
Strengthening practitioner capability to facilitate culturally appropriate and trauma-informed dispute resolution

12:50 Networking luncheon

Stream C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

10:50 Breathwork and mindful movement session

11:50 Yarning circle:

12:50 Networking luncheon

3:10 Afternoon refreshments

1 If funding is the barrier to bail reform, what other solutions can stop someone being unnecessarily detained overnight, weekends and until they can be picked up?

2 What strategies are in your toolbox to de-escalate reactive behaviours, and do they work?

3 What are the ethical tensions in co-design within justice contexts and how can practitioners balance power, safety and accountability with lived experience?

4 What is achievable and actionable to minimise staff burnout and vicarious trauma?

4:20 Innovating justice by harnessing technology and data to transform systemic outcomes

Exploring the integration of AI-driven risk assessment and predictive analytics to enhance decision-making in courts and corrections
Leveraging digital platforms to improve access to justice, streamline case management and increase transparency
Addressing ethical considerations and ensuring cultural safety in the deployment of technology across the justice system

5:20 Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference day one

8:00 Registration opens

8:50 Opening remarks from the Chair

Preventing incarceration through cross-sector partnerships

9:00 International keynote

9:40 Panel discussion: Examining integrated approaches via collaborative efforts across legal and justice systems to strengthen trust and deliver lasting justice reform

Identifying and addressing systemic barriers by examining why past efforts to close the gap have fallen short and what needs to change to achieve real progress
Developing integrated justice systems that prioritise early intervention, culturally informed practices, and ongoing adaptation to community needs for better outcomes
Establishing integrated, proactive approached that move beyond reactive responses to build client trust, improve engagement, and address systemic gaps hindering progress

Panellists:

10:20 Morning refreshments

A

Improving outcomes within the system

B

Preparing for release and reintegration

C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

10:50 Strengthening two-way information sharing across family law, child protection and justice systems

Supporting informed and appropriate decision-making in circumstances where there is, or may be, a risk of family violence, child abuse or neglect
Working in partnership to improve collaboration between systems to streamline processes and practices
Building on the success of the Co-location Program to remove barriers to information sharing and eliminate gaps between these intersecting systems

11:30 Reducing deaths in custody through enhanced oversight and cultural safety

Strengthening custodial monitoring systems and incident review processes to improve accountability and risk mitigation
Embedding cultural safety and trauma-informed practice in staff training to reduce harm to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody
Advancing cross-agency protocols and clinical governance frameworks to support early intervention and prevent in-custody fatalities

12:10 Panel discussion: Expanding restorative justice and community court models for First Nations youth

Developing culturally responsive restorative justice frameworks that address underlying drivers of youth offending
Integrating community court principles to support diversion, rehabilitation and culturally appropriate sentencing options
Elevating partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to strengthen program design and delivery

Panellists:

10:50 Case study: Strengthening pre-release planning for safer transitions

Embedding suicide prevention and mental health screening in custodial case management
Coordinating in-custody AOD treatment with post-release service continuity
Strengthening corrections–health partnerships for culturally safe transitions

Panellists:

11:30 Panel discussion: Building post-release pathways for lasting reintegration

Securing housing, employment and community support before release
Integrating trauma-informed, culturally safe assessment into reintegration planning
Building multi-agency case management for seamless custody-to-community care

Panellists:

12:10 Delivering wrap-around support to reduce youth offender recidivism

Integrating intensive case management approaches to address criminogenic needs and risk factors for reoffending
Coordinating cross-sector services including education, housing, mental health and family supports to stabilise at-risk youth
Embedding culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices into diversion and rehabilitation programs

10:50 Affirmation Card Making

11:50 Yarning circle:

12:50 Networking luncheon

1:50 Fireside chat: Building disability capability across police, courts and corrections

Improving practitioner capability in identifying and managing cognitive and psychosocial disability within justice processes
Embedding disability awareness and reasonable adjustment requirements into operational policy and training curricula
Facilitating cross-sector collaboration to ensure consistent, rights-based management of people with disability across police, court and custodial settings

2:30 Case study : Culturally safe care in Justice: The new Aboriginal health directorate and model of care

Establishing Indigenous-led governance to embed cultural values and self-determination in the design and oversight of health services in justice settings
Delivering integrated, culturally safe care that responds to the holistic health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody
Building strong cross-sector partnerships between justice, health and community to ensure continuity of care and culturally anchored support

1:50 Case study: Strengthening culturally informed and purposeful First Nations reintegration strategies

Embedding culturally safe, community-led approaches into post-release planning and supervision frameworks
Coordinating holistic supports addressing housing, employment, family reunification, and cultural connection to reduce recidivism
Enhancing partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to deliver responsive reintegration programs

2:30 Panel discussion: Managing media influence on police decision-making in frontline justice

Addressing the impact of media narratives on operational discretion and officer decision-making within policing frameworks
Enhancing training on media literacy, ethical decision-making and maintaining procedural integrity under public scrutiny
Developing organisational policies to support officers in balancing community expectations with evidence-based policing practice

Moderator:

Panellists:

1:50 Breathwork and mindful movement session

2:30 Yarning circle:

3:10 Afternoon refreshments

3:40 Reframing justice systems to reduce incarceration and support a human-centric approach

Realigning how success is defined across legal and justice settings by centring wellbeing, stability and growth over compliance or recidivism
Exploring system-wide reforms and cross-sector strategies that interrupt incarceration pathways and address root causes
Identifying practical metrics and organisational changes that enable justice institutions to empower individuals and measure what truly matters /li>

4:20 Closing Address: Establishing meaningful partnerships across government agencies and sector partners to improve system effectiveness

Fostering collaborative governance models that break down silos and align priorities across justice, health, housing and social services
Leveraging shared data and resources to drive coordinated responses and measure cross-sector impact effectively
Creating sustainable partnerships grounded in trust, mutual accountability and community engagement to transform systemic outcomes

5:00 Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference

9:00 - 12:00 Workshop A Building place-based justice reinvestment strategies

Attend this workshop and learn how to:

Identify local drivers, gaps and assets for successful place-based planning
Tailor a draft roadmap or action plan to region, community, or organisation
Use practical tools for funding proposals and negotiations
Embed cultural governance and community leadership strategically
Measure outcomes and evaluate using the right templates

Facilitator:

12:00 Networking luncheon

1:00 - 4:00 Workshop B Embedding disability and cognitive disability awareness in justice practice

By attending this workshop, you will learn how to:

Recognise signs of cognitive disability, FASD, and neurodivergence in justice settings, using simple screening and identification tools
Communicate more effectively with people with disability using trauma-informed, culturally safe approaches
Improve service navigation and referral by mapping local health, disability, and community partners
Build stronger cross-sector partnerships to deliver wraparound supports that reduce incarceration risk
Create a targeted action plan to embed culturally safe, disability-responsive practice in your team or service

Facilitator:

We’re in the process of bringing together the best of the best for the 2025 agenda.

Be the first to hear about the latest updates by registering your interest on the link below as the 4th National Justice Forum returns bigger & better with a fresh new look and dynamic line up of local and international speakers in 2025.

Schedule details

Event Agenda

Rodney Dillon

Implementing co-design meaningfully across the justice sector​

Nadia Bromley

Shaun Horseman

Brooke Dillon

10:20 Morning refreshments

Rachael Lloyd

Panellists:

Renna Gayde

Lyn Millet

Thomas Docking

12:10 Networking luncheon

Dr Santino A Deng

Christina Chun

2:30 Afternoon refreshments

Mick Gooda

Breaking the cycle of incarceration via systemic reforms

Anne Hollands

Allen Benson

10:20 Morning refreshments

A

Optimising prevention and early intervention strategies

B

Centring culture to restore connection between people and place

C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

Chair:

Mick Gooda

Chair:

Sheryl Batchelor

James Woods

Panellists:

Rodney Dillon

Sheryl Batchelor

Pamela Lasker

Caitlin Weatherby-Fell

11:50 Yarning circle:

12:50 Networking luncheon

12:50 Networking luncheon

12:50 Networking luncheon

Lea-Ann McNeill

Matthew Cutmore

Panellists:

Kiah Woodall

Pamela Lasker

Kiah Woodall

Amy Mann

Stream A

Optimising prevention and early intervention strategies

Chair:

Sheryl Batchelor

James Woods

Panellists:

Rodney Dillon

Sheryl Batchelor

12:50 Networking luncheon

Lea-Ann McNeill

Matthew Cutmore

Stream B

Centring culture to restore connection between people and place

Chair:

Mick Gooda

Pamela Lasker

Caitlin Weatherby-Fell

12:50 Networking luncheon

Stream C

Interactive sessions

Chair:

12:50 Networking luncheon

3:10 Afternoon refreshments

3:40 Roundtables:

1

If funding is the barrier to bail reform, what other solutions can stop someone being unnecessarily detained overnight, weekends and until they can be picked up?

Rodney Dillon

2

What strategies are in your toolbox to de-escalate reactive behaviours, and do they work?

Sheryl Batchelor

Implementing co-design meaningfully across the justice sector

Implementing co-design meaningfully across the justice sector