Overview

• The Northern Territory committed over $500 million in its budget to expand corrections facilities following the enactment of harsh bail laws last month.
• Victoria announced a $727 million investment to add nearly 1,000 adult and 88 youth prison beds, alongside amendments imposing stricter penalties for assaults on staff.
• Government data reveals a 22% rise in adults on remand and a 71% increase in young people in Victoria compared to last year, attributed to the tightened bail laws.
• Critics, including legal and social service groups, argue the focus on incarceration neglects crime prevention and exacerbates harm to vulnerable communities.
• Advocates call for reallocating funds to housing, health, and social services, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions to reduce crime and support rehabilitation.