Synopsis

Australia was founded with a clear purpose, to create a prison island. 230 years later, our incarceration rates are amongst the highest in the world, costing our nation billions of dollars. But the most devastating cost is the erosion of the culture, values and wellbeing of our First Nations Peoples.

Incarceration Nation reveals the systemic injustice and oppression of Aboriginal people that has created an internationally recognised human rights catastrophe. Aboriginal people are amongst the most incarcerated people in the world – they represent 3% of the population yet 27% of prisoners.

Incarceration Nation puts the justice system on trial and questions why petty crimes, like unpaid parking fines, can lead to imprisonment. It highlights the costs of our current system – both economically and socially – by forensically examining Australia's law enforcement, judicial and prison systems.