Paroo Shire takes on Justice Reinvestment plan

All the way from Cunnamulla – Paroo Shire Mayor Lindsay Godfrey (right) with Rachael Johnson, Operations Co-ordinator for Strong Families, Strong Community in Cunnamulla PHOTO TWH

The success of the innovative Justice Reinvestment project in Bourke has attracted attention across the nation – and closer to home. Paroo Shire Mayor Lindsay Godfrey visited Bourke last week to have a firsthand look at how the program operated and how it could be applied to communities within the Paroo Shire, based north of the border at Cunnamulla.

“We were very impressed with what Bourke is doing, how the police, young people and service providers are contributing to a program that is having such a positive impact in the town,” Mr Godfrey said.

“What you’ve done here is you’ve pulled down the silos and are working around the room and working with the human side of these issues.

“Rather than a big stick, this program uses a much more human approach to look at the issues behind what’s leading fundamentally to these issues of domestic violence or youth crime.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.