Rehabilitation for high risk offenders

Effective rehabilitation of young offenders is an urgent social need. Using mathematical modelling of longitudinal population data, Professor Dianna Kenny from the Faculty of Health Sciences, received $480,000 to identify predictors of re-offending, health risk behaviours, and/or progression to injecting drug use.

Collaborating with NSW Department of Juvenile Justice and NSW Corrections Health Service, this project will advance theoretical understanding of juvenile crime, its health and substance abuse patterns, and offence trajectories, thereby facilitating effective policies and practices to reduce re-offending, improve health and create socially acceptable alternatives for young Australians at risk of a criminal career. Achievement of effective rehabilitation will not only reduce the cost to the community of offending, but will enhance the quality of life of young offenders, their families and communities.