Closing The Gap - A vibrant painting featuring dragonflies and flowers in orange, white, and yellow on a red and patterned background.
Ethan D, Palawa people, Second Chances 2025, acrylic on canvas, 34 x 108 cm. Courtesy of the artist
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Closing The Widening Gap | How to Respond to Alarming Statistics

One year after our last article on National Closing The Gap Day and only 4 of the 19 Closing The Gap targets are on track. This is a disappointing drop from last year and highlights the ongoing serious disparities faced by First Nations people in Australia’s legal system.

The Closing The Gap 2024 report released earlier this year states that “First Nations people continue to be over-represented in the justice system, making up 36% of Australia’s prison population, despite comprising less than 4% of the total population”.

Among the socio-economic targets outlined by Closing The Gap are goals to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults held in incarceration by at least 15% by 2031, and to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention by at least 30% by 2031. However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics report on prisoners in Australia (as of 30 June 2024) reveals a shocking reality: the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners actually increased by 15% nationwide between 2023 and 2024. So, the target to reduce adult incarceration is alarmingly going the other way by 15% at present.

Another telling figure is that 76% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult prisoners in Australia have experienced prior adult imprisonment.

These distressing statistics aren’t just numbers – they represent real people who have their own story to share.

At The Torch, we are committed to addressing the over-representation of First Nations people within Victoria’s legal system. Our program offers each participant a platform to share their story, re/connect with culture, and to earn an income through selling and licensing their artwork. Economic elevation is a critical part of our effort to break the cycle of recidivism. Engagement with The Torch’s program also empowers artists’ self-esteem, trust and confidence, enabling them to build new pathways.

We have delivered our program since 2011 and are proud that recidivism rates have more than halved for those connected to the program.

This year, we invite you to respond to the alarming updates from the Closing The Gap report with action. Here’s how you can get involved:

Together we can make a difference.

Sources:
Closing The Gap 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan
Australian Bureau of Statistics: Prisoners in Australia 2024

Artwork credit: Ethan D, Palawa people, Second Chances 2025, acrylic on canvas, 34 x 108 cm. Courtesy of the artist