Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
School
School of Education
First Supervisor
Susan Main
Second Supervisor
Natalie Gately
Third Supervisor
John Guenther
Fourth Supervisor
Ian Trust
Abstract
Australia’s over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system (CJS) affects the individuals involved, their families, the communities to which they belong, as well as the national economy. In proportion to overall population, Western Australia has been identified as the Australian state or territory with the highest representation of incarcerated Aboriginal people. Low levels of literacy have also been directly linked to high levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment. The purpose of this research was to investigate how levels of literacy shape Aboriginal peoples’ perspectives and experiences with the CJS. It also sought recommendations from participants on how literacy could be improved so that the CJS could better interact with Aboriginal people. Perspectives, experiences, and recommendations of Western Australian Aboriginal people living in remote areas of the Kimberley and the Goldfields were sought through yarning. In addition, legal representatives who represent Aboriginal people and have experience working with Aboriginal offenders provided their perspectives, experiences, and recommendations through semi-structured interviews. A theoretical framework that is Aboriginal, decolonising methodology and researcher centred Aboriginal values and protocols, were applied. Breaking down barriers between the non-Aboriginal researcher and participants was at the forefront of the project, with local Aboriginal people as research advisors, providing assistance with language and participant invitations.
Perspectives, experiences, and recommendations from this research demonstrate that literacy challenges are multiplicative. Compensatory measures with literacy challenges were often evident during the study. However, to genuinely address literacy related issues, a better understanding of the relationships between language, power and knowledge emerged as a major finding. Furthermore, education is linked to language competence, which is also linked with social capital and participation in the knowledge economy. Finally, a reflexive approach is advocated, whereby Aboriginal Elders, communities and government systems work together towards a hybrid system of law. This outcome has the potential to address the power imbalance resultant from the complex relationships between language, culture, knowledge, and power.
DOI
10.25958/pqbg-p847
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 8 November 2028
Recommended Citation
Cox, A. (2024). The impact of literacy on Aboriginal people who have contact with the criminal justice system. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/pqbg-p847
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Indigenous Education Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons