Experts are worried about lowering the age of criminal responsibility

Jason Lord works with our OutCARE program in Alice Springs which supports men on parole to stay out of jail.

He co-founded the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy, and is a member of the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Group in Alice Springs.

He is worried reducing the age of criminal responsibility back to 10 years old will create a spiral effect where more children will fall into the criminal justice system at a younger age.

A great article from the ABC that includes commentary from experts who are concerned about the negative effects of lowering age of criminal responsibility, reintroduction of spit hoods and mandatory youth diversion programs.

The article features Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk, Andrew Lockyer from Brother2Another, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollond, Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Danila Dilba CEO Rob McPhee, ACT Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts and Jason Lord from the Arrernte Boxing Academy.

See full story here https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-29/spithoods-and-lower-age-of-ciminal-responsibility-nt-chief/104279814