Criminal Justice
The Justice Portfolio works with many government partners and the broader community to reduce crime, target disorderly behaviour and improve road safety.
Our Focus:
- Crime Prevention
- Public Order
- Road Safety
- Justice Processes
- Rehabilitation
The Portfolio is continually looking to improve justice processes within the state. The Justice Portfolio wants to strengthen systems to protect children, victims and witnesses and enhance our response to vulnerable groups. It wants to reduce re-offending, provide a safe, secure and humane corrections service and ensure an independent and effective prosecution and legal service that produces fair and just outcomes for all.
The Justice Portfolio is continuing to use new technologies and approaches to crime management to improve our ability to detect and prevent crime. By strengthening legislation, making our communities more resilient, and not tolerating criminal activities, we can make South Australians more safe and secure.
The Justice Portfolio understands that public safety is more than just reacting to crime and disorder — it also means responding to the many and complicated issues that can cause anti-social behaviour and victimisation. There are people who have numerous contacts with the criminal justice system and need special assistance to break the cycle of offending.
The Justice Portfolio ensures that responses to vulnerable people are fair, appropriate and effective in all parts of the justice system. For example, by recognising the multiple disadvantages faced by Aboriginal people the portfolio can better respond to their needs and work towards reducing their overrepresentation in prisons. In addition, evidence suggests that people who abuse drugs can commit crimes to fund their habit and need help to break the cycle of offending. A substantial number of people who have impaired mental, physical or intellectual functioning are coming into contact with the criminal justice system and require a tailored response. Juvenile offenders and youth at risk of entering the juvenile justice system need immediate help to avoid becoming offenders in their adult lives.
Seeking partnerships and joining our efforts together with all levels of government and the non-government sector is the key to dealing effectively with these issues.
We encourage South Australians to report crime and trust that if they do so the justice system will protect their rights and support them. In particular, the willingness of victims and witnesses to report crime and, if necessary, provide evidence in court is essential to the achievement of justice, particularly in cases of familial violence and child abuse. Increasing the public’s confidence in the criminal justice system and taking into account all people affected by crime remains a priority.
The Justice Portfolio aims to achieve:
- a reduction in the rate of crime
- a reduction in the rate of offenders returning to Correctional Services
- an increased range of responses to Aboriginal people at all points of contact in the criminal justice system
- improved access to services for victims and witnesses
- a reduction in the number of deaths and casualties caused by road crashes.
