“At worst, we are no more dirty, lazy, stupid, criminal or immoral than yourselves.” Addressing recidivism and overrepresentation of Aboriginal people within the criminal justice system in Victoria.

This thesis initiates a change in criminology and looks at systemic racism within the criminal justice system (CJS), the failures to address overrepresentation and reduce recidivism. The use of inclusion within the Victorian CJS, which is seen as pots of paint and artwork on the wall, is a passive approach to addressing overrepresentation and reducing recidivism. In New South Wales, programs employing self-determination, in which Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people make the decisions on how to approach the issues within the community have been successful in addressing overrepresentation and reducing recidivism for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.