Indigenous youth recidivism has become a blackfellas issue

JUST last week I was a visitor to Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

A long-term indigenous employee in ‘management’ boastfully stated that they had been employed at Cleveland for 10 years. Ten years doing what? Nobody would entertain the idea of sending a plumber to attempt a surgeon’s job. During the past 10 years the indigenous crime rate has exploded.

The obvious fact that indigenous youth crimes continue to escalate unabated should sound warning bells. Who is listening? Years ago my fellow Aboriginal Elders and I used to volunteer at Murri Court. Juvenile crime back then was nowhere near the shamefully frustrating stats that it has now reached.

Why are people being employed to ‘correct’ anti-social behaviour regarding indigenous youths if juvenile recidivism data shows absolutely no signs of being de-escalated or addressed? Big money is constantly being allocated to assist in the hopeful reduction of juvenile crimes. In what decade will this pipedream happen?

The only ‘dreams’ that are coming true so far are those healthy pay packets that go home with you.

As an Aboriginal community member I’m totally frustrated at being stigmatised in shopping centres by ignorant remarks regarding indigenous youth crimes.

Social media usually has a field day … every day … commenting about indigenous youth crimes. Some community radio stations also plug indigenous crime as a satirical joke. How the hell is anyone supposed to fight the uphill battle trying to reduce indigenous crimes when some sections of social media engage in subtly inciting further community discontent? Indigenous crime has become a blackfellas issue.

When are those who are gainfully employed to supposedly alleviate indigenous crime actually going to produce some beneficial results?

Be mindful that it’s a minority of indigenous youths who are committing crimes. Most are excelling in education and employment and are creating positive futures for themselves.

Normally in any situation the majority rules. When it involves indigenous youth crimes however that ‘minority’ of juvenile recidivists gain maximum media attention. To those who are employed in attempting to reduce indigenous youth crimes … you mob seriously need to consult at ground level to seek other ‘ powers of persuasion’.

It’s so very obvious that despite all of those well-intentioned ‘rehab programs’ realistically nothing appears to be working.

CORALIE CASSADY, Kirwan.