Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee

Inquiry into Victoria’s Criminal Justice System

Completed

Victorians were encouraged to have their say on the state's criminal justice system. The inquiry is analysing factors influencing Victoria's growing remand and prison populations, rates of criminal reoffending, and judicial appointment processes.

The report was tabled in Parliament on 24 March 2022 and a copy is available in the reports tab.

On 3 June 2020, the Legislative Council agreed to the following motion:

That this House requires the Legal and Social Issues Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by no later than 28 February 2022, on various issues associated with the operation of Victoria’s justice system, including, but not limited to —

(1) an analysis of factors influencing Victoria’s growing remand and prison populations;

(2) strategies to reduce rates of criminal recidivism;

(3) an examination of how to ensure that judges and magistrates have appropriate knowledge and expertise when sentencing and dealing with offenders, including an understanding of recidivism and the causes of crime; and

(4) the consideration of judicial appointment processes in other jurisdictions, specifically noting the particular skill-set necessary for judges and magistrates overseeing specialist courts.