Stop Jailing Kids — It's Harmful and Racist

In Australia, the abusive and racist practice of incarcerating children, particularly Aboriginal and marginalized youth, is on the rise. Rather than rehabilitating young people, imprisonment deepens cycles of intergenerational trauma, reduces life opportunities and life expectancy. This is a gross policy failure that guarantees criminalization and a widening of the gap in Aboriginal disadvantage.

The Jails Are the Crime

Australia is witnessing an alarming trend, with several states and territories lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility. In Western Australia, the age has been reduced to just 10 years old, despite a decline in youth crime nationwide. This change, driven more by political rhetoric over evidence, directly contradicts recommendations from experts and human rights organizations, including the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH). Instead of addressing underlying issues like mental health and education, lowering the age of responsibility criminalizes childhood behavior and disproportionately harms vulnerable children, particularly Aboriginal kids already overrepresented in the justice system.

One Third of Australia’s Prison Population Lives with a Mental Illness

Incarcerating children all but guarantees the development of psychosocial disabilities and a lifetime entanglement in the criminal justice system. Despite this clear link, and strong objections from the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, the Queensland Government is spending $250 million on a third youth detention center, supposedly to "curb youth crime."

Incarcerating children costs taxpayers around $2,000 per day, or more than $750,000 per year per child.

Yet the financial burden is a small part of the equation. The social and personal costs are far greater. Children in detention face psychosocial harm, long-term educational setbacks, and a higher likelihood of reoffending throughout their statistically shortened lifespans.

1 in 4 children in youth detention are Aboriginal, despite making up only 5% of the population.

Cold-Hearted Politics

The facts are clear: incarcerating children does not reduce crime. Youth crime has been steadily declining across Australia, yet politicians persist in making decisions based on a false narrative to win votes. These policies ignore evidence-based solutions that actually work, empowering communities to support children and help them thrive.

Instead of criminalizing vulnerable youth, we must invest in diversionary programs and early intervention. Supporting children through culturally inclusive programs that focus on engaging activities, relationships, education, and employment is far cheaper than expanding prisons. But more than that, it’s simply the right thing to do. Your elected representatives already know this.

Make Your Voice Heard

Kids inside have no voice. They hear only state and territory governments telling them they are worthless. Please email your elected representatives today and tell them: the jails are the crime. Stop jailing kids—it’s racist and harmful. Demand they reject the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility and invest in community-led, preventative solutions that give all children the opportunity to thrive.