The Importance of Incorporating Lived Experience in Efforts to Reduce Australian Reincarceration Rates

Caroline Doyle, Karen Gardner, Karen Wells
2021 International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy  
It is widely acknowledged that 'good policy' should be informed by the people it most directly affects. In Australia, the value of drawing on lived experiences in the development and delivery of services has recently been noted in health areas, such as disability and mental health. However, learning from people with lived experiences in the criminal justice sector, such as people who have served time in prison, has received little attention. This article discusses the significance of and
more » ... ges related to capturing the voices of people who are currently serving time or have served time in prison. We argue that formalising the perspectives of these individuals into policymaking through co-design processes may be an important method for enhancing program responses to rising incarceration and reincarceration rates.
doi:10.5204/ijcjsd.1666 fatcat:jwk3lz4sjrgjvp7vgjb3wlt4cu