Injustice in the criminal justice system
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is looking into the criminal justice system as part of the truth telling process in Victoria.
For First Peoples, the criminal justice system has long been a site of systemic injustice. There is an unbroken line between the criminalisation of First Peoples’ resistance to dispossession at colonisation and the actions, laws and policies in the current criminal justice system.
On this page you will find some of the responses Yoorrook has received as part of its inquiry.
What you've told us about Criminal Justice System
News, Stories and Videos
Discover the latest updates on Yoorrook's work, inspiring stories of strength and resistance from First Peoples, insightful opinion pieces from Commissioners, and engaging videos about truth-telling and history
Videos
11 March 2025
“Prisons are not a place where women can heal.”
Djirra reports that “at least 24% of the women Djirra supported in 2023 had been misidentified as perpetrators of violence by Police. Misidentification leads to criminalisation, incarceration, and is a major contributor to the removal of our children.
News & Stories
16 May 2024
Victorian Government responds to Yoorrook recommendations
The Victorian Government has accepted 28 of the recommendations made in Yoorrook for Justice in full or in principle.
News & Stories
16 May 2024
Victoria Police commit to change
Victoria Police announces its commitment to 79 reforms in response to Yoorrook Justice Commission recommendations at the unveiling of the Yoorrook shield
News & Stories
20 October 2023
The roadmap to transform Victoria’s child protection and justice systems
The Yoorrook Justice Commission has a mandate to investigate all systemic injustice against First Peoples dating back to the beginning of colonisation. In September Yoorrook released its second interim report.
Videos
10 October 2023
Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems
Following a 12-month inquiry, the ‘Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems’ details extensive systemic injustice, racism, discriminatory laws and policy failures that have, and continue to, cause harm to First Peoples. The report and a full list of recommendations can be found here: www.yoorrookforjustice.org.au
Videos
10 October 2023
Recommendations: Yoorook Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems
Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems makes 46 recommendations for reform, including clarifying and strengthening the charter of human rights and responsibilities act. The report and a full list of recommendations can be found here: www.yoorrookforjustice.org.au
Criminal Justice System reports, hearings and evidence
View the reports, hearings and evidence Yoorrook collected during the investigation into the criminal justice system.
Yoorrook for justice
The report details extensive systemic injustice, racism, discriminatory laws and policy failures that have, and continue to, cause harm to First Peoples. It highlights that present injustice has deep roots in the colonial foundations of the state.
The report makes landmark recommendations about self-determination for First Peoples in Victoria. First Peoples must have decision-making power, authority, control and resources in the child protection and criminal justice systems as these relate to them. The Victorian Government must uphold its commitment to self-determination through negotiation under the treaty process.
Other information
Criminal Justice System submissions
Make a submission to help Yoorrook recommend changes to right the wrongs of the past and make a better shared future for everyone.
Criminal Justice System Videos
Watch videos showing some of the things Yoorrook was told about the criminal justice system.
The past is the present
Read how the present-day failures of Victoria’s criminal justice and child protection systems for First Peoples are deeply rooted in the colonial foundations of the State of Victoria.