Aboriginal Prisoners Design Their Own Curriculum

Abstract

Aboriginal people in Western Australia experience very high rates of imprisonment. In June 1985 the percentage of Aboriginal people in prisons in Western Australia was 32.7% (Walker and Biles 1986:23) and a large number of these were young men. Aboriginal people constitute 2.5% of the total population of Western Australia which means they are over represented at a rate of 12%(W.A.A.E.C.G. 1987:32). These figures have been extensively researched and documented (Hazlehurst 1987, Eggleston 1976 and Martin and Newby 1986) perhaps to the detriment of Aboriginal people (Parker 1987:140). Parker believes these high rates are due to the socio-economic and political status of Aboriginal people in our society, and suggests education programs about Aboriginal culture should be introduced to judicial agents accompanied by "the promotion of Aboriginal autonomy and independence in the areas of health, housing, education and employment" (Parker 1987:137). Broadhurst (1987:152) reinforces this view, asserting that the over representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system is a result of deprivation and economic dependence and the development of the north-west, rather than an aspect of Aboriginality (Broadhurst 1987:179). He urges that prisons be used as a ’last resort‘.