Four Corners: Sept 19

Four Corners tonight presents ‘Backing Bourke’, reported by Geoff Thompson, as an outback town makes a bold experiment to save its young people from a life of crime.

Two months after exposing the scandalous treatment of juvenile offenders, this story seeks to provide a glimmer of hope for communities struggling to break the cycle of youth crime.

It’s the little town that symbolises life in the outback, immortalised by Henry Lawson who declared: “If you know Bourke, you know Australia”.

But this famous bush town has one of the worst crime rates in Australia.

“If you went to any prison or juvenile justice centre in this state, you’ll find one of our families there.” – Phil, Tribal Elder

With startling rates of domestic violence, assault and property crime, too many of Bourke’s residents end up in jail.

Fed up with losing their young to prison, the Indigenous people of Bourke have decided to take a risk on a bold experiment to try and turn their town around.

“I just certainly felt that I had something to offer and to contribute to ensure that particularly young people don’t make the same mistakes.” – Alistair, Community Leader

It’s based on a groundbreaking American approach called Justice Reinvestment that tries to prevent crime through simple targeted programs.

“It’s really about spending more on communities and less on prisons, so it involves working out ways that you can shift resources out of the prison system.” – Sarah, Just Reinvest

It’s been so successful that in places like Texas, the state has actually been closing prisons down.

But can this same idea work in outback Australia?

“We want to have (the) opportunity to say well all right, here is another way to do it… let us have a go at it.” – Phil, Tribal Elder

Backed by wealthy philanthropists, not government, the community is putting the theory to the test with practical ideas, like offering free driving lessons. It’s diverting people from jail time as driving without a license is a chronic problem in the outback.

“It’s in everyone’s interests to keep kids out of institutions and get them back on track. That’s ultimately what we’re all here for…” – Police Officer

And it’s also trying to change attitudes, prompting the men of Bourke to take a long hard look at themselves and stand up as leaders.

“I’ve had my ups and downs and I’ve done things I regret. But I need to be accountable for my own actions and the challenges I have as a man.” – Steve

“The work that’s being carried out in Bourke…it’s becoming a catalyst for the rest of the nation.” – Alistair, Community Leader.

Monday September 19 at 8.30pm on ABC.