Responding to Australia’s Juvenile Justice Crisis: Reducing Youth Incarceration in Western Australia

Hansen, E., Carey, L. (2025). Responding to Australia’s Juvenile Justice Crisis: Reducing Youth Incarceration in Western Australia. Reboot Australia. www.rebootaustralia.com

Authored by Ella Hansen and Dr Lukas Carey, this report provides a critical examination of Australia’s juvenile justice system and offers practical, evidence-based strategies for reducing youth incarceration in Western Australia. The report explores the root causes of youth offending and identifies programs and policies that genuinely interrupt the cycle of detention and disadvantage.

Understanding the challenge

Australia’s youth detention numbers are rising, with around 80 young people detained on an average night in WA, over half identifying as First Nations. This over-representation highlights systemic inequalities and a lack of effective early-intervention measures. The report makes clear that incarceration at a young age leads to long-term harm, disrupting education, social development, and mental health, and increasing the risk of reoffending across a lifetime.

Key finding 1: Addressing root causes through trauma-informed intervention

The report identifies Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as neglect, family violence, and trauma, as key drivers of youth offending. Young people exposed to multiple ACEs are far more likely to come into contact with the justice system. Effective solutions must include trauma-informed care, education support, and strong family engagement to break this pattern before it hardens into long-term justice involvement.

Key finding 2: Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility

Australia’s minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) remains one of the lowest globally at ten years old. The report calls for an increase to 12 years, and ultimately 14, in line with United Nations recommendations. Raising the MACR would help prevent the early criminalisation of children, allowing for support programs and social interventions that prioritise rehabilitation over punishment - a key step toward reducing youth incarceration in Western Australia.

Key finding 3: Prioritising culturally responsive and evidence-based programs

The research highlights three approaches with strong results: Multisystemic Therapy (MST), relational therapeutic models, and restorative justice. MST works closely with families to reduce antisocial behaviour, while relational and restorative practices rebuild trust between young people, families, and communities. The report emphasises that culturally responsive frameworks - like WA’s Yiriman Project in the Kimberley - are vital to engaging Aboriginal youth and driving sustainable change.

Recommendations

1. Raise the MACR to 12, with a plan to increase to 14 after measurable reductions in youth offending.

2. Extend the doli incapax presumption to 17, ensuring young people’s culpability is assessed by maturity, not age alone.

3. Prioritise trauma-informed, individualised, and culturally grounded programs that support rehabilitation

4. Strengthen education pathways and early intervention to prevent first contact with the criminal justice system.

Why this matters

Responding to Australia’s Juvenile Justice Crisis: Reducing Youth Incarceration in Western Australia advocates for a compassionate, data-driven approach to reducing youth incarceration in Western Australia. By addressing root causes and replacing punishment with prevention, the report envisions a system that rebuilds lives, strengthens families, and creates safer communities.

Research Internship Partnership: Murdoch University × Reboot Australia

Reboot Australia has partnered with Murdoch University to establish a research internship program connecting academic study with lived experience. This collaboration provides criminology and social-science students direct access to justice-impacted individuals, giving them insight into rehabilitation and reintegration in practice. The partnership ensures Reboot’s internal processes remain best practice, while advancing national research into reducing youth incarceration in Western Australia. Together, Murdoch University and Reboot Australia are shaping a more informed and compassionate justice landscape.

Download the full report

To explore the data, insights, and full recommendations for reducing youth incarceration in Western Australia:

RespondingtoAustralia'sJuvenileJusticeCrisis_Recommendationsto DecreaseratesofYouthIncarce.

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