'Everybody is equal at the table': Inside the ACT's Circle Sentencing court

The ACT government has extended its innovative Circle Sentencing program for another three years, which brings First Nations offenders to the ACT Supreme Court to be sentenced alongside magistrates and elders. This initiative emphasizes a more culturally appropriate and community-focused approach to justice for Indigenous offenders. The funding extension reflects the program's success in fostering reconciliation and offering an alternative to traditional sentencing, highlighting a significant step forward in addressing systemic inequalities in the justice system.