Break The Cycle
Who are we?
Break the Cycle is a campaign currently in its infancy.
We aim to initiate conversation over Australia's current legal justice system and more directly, the processes prior to criminal conviction.
​
Break the Cycle acts as a platform for both affected and unaffected Australians who believe our criminal justice system should change to better society and ultimately lower incarceration rates and crime dependency.
Why the need for change?
Australia's criminal justice system has room for improvement to put it lightly. Not only are incarceration rates increasing annually at an alarming rate but there has also been discussion of introducing private prisons like those in America.
​
However, Break the Cycle's main focus is on how the current system encourages dependence and falsely presents an existing safe society which is a direct result of incarceration. Society therefore relies on the politically driven 'lock-em-up' principle. Even when dealing with minor crimes, we have been programmed to be safe rather than sorry and so our incarceration rates climb.
Our Goal
Ultimately we wish to see the introduction of a more community oriented justice system for minor crimes -(Minor crimes in the sense that the offender is not a risk to society). By allowing the offender, the offender's loved ones and the victim/s to safely discuss the impact of the crime they can decide on a suitable punishment. This can prevent the offender from gaining a criminal record, later struggling with employment and ultimately returning to crime to support themselves.
​
Break the Cycle therefore envisions a system that acknowledges the crime, allocates punishment and further reintegrates the offender as a productive member of society.