Disrupting the Incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children by Empowering the Voices of Elders and Community in Australia

This qualitative research aims to empower Indigenous-led, self-determined transformative social change to liberate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from oppressive, racially discriminatory, and harmful incarceration practices. Using Indigenist and decolonising ontology, transformative epistemology, and participatory action research, data were collected through yarning interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Eighteen participants included Elders, community members and stakeholders from Queensland, Australia. Six themes were identified, which addressed historical and socio-political issues, and racialised health and justice systems driving disparity and inequity impacting these children. The themes highlight ways to reduce punitive punishment and criminalisation of complex health and support needs by instilling healing, holistic, child and family-focused approaches. By identifying children’s strengths and challenges during crucial developmental periods, this research offers stories that inspire resistance to child incarceration, and empower hope, healing and freedom.