Robbed publican’s common sense justice
When a young girl attempted to steal a bottle of rum from the Goldfields Hotel in Tennant Creek, the incident led to police involvement and the girl’s arrest…
Jason, owner of Goldfields Hotel Motel in Tennant Creek, found himself facing a challenging situation when a young girl attempted to steal a bottle of rum from his establishment.
The incident led to police involvement and the girl’s arrest. However, what followed wasn’t just about punishment, but about finding a path to redemption and growth.
Get email updates
“I had an incident here one day where a young girl snuck in and tried to run off with a bottle of rum,” Jason recalls. “The police were called, statements were taken, and she was taken away for processing.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Jason’s approach took a compassionate turn when the community decided to work together in finding the right punishment.
“A few weeks later, I received a call from a local organization that had taken charge of her case. They came up with a plan for her to come to the pub twice a week for three weeks to help with cleaning tasks—whether it was windows, mopping toilets or whatever.”
Jason saw this as an opportunity not just for justice for the crime, but for personal growth.
Smarter justice stories
Brother to Another gives young men choices beyond the cycle of offending
Time behind bars at a young age is a serious risk factor for life-long reoffending. Australia locks up Indigenous youth at 29 times the rate of non-Indigenous youth.
In the Territory, around 97 per cent of incarcerated youths are Aboriginal, and around half are being held on remand, meaning they have not been convicted of or sentenced for any crime.
Brother to Another is about getting to the root causes of offending behaviour and giving kids the tools to make better choices.
It's about giving young people the power to make their own choices is the first step to helping them make better choices.
Women supporting women to build a life beyond bars
Breaking the cycle of violence is at the heart of the Kunga Stopping Violence Program, which supports women incarcerated in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre.
It’s about getting the right help from the moment someone is imprisoned and ensuring they continue to be supported after they are released so they can get back on track and stay there – for good.
Community holding offenders accountable drops crime
Motivated by high rates of offending and reoffending, Matty and the community took responsibility to prevent crime and support individuals to be held accountable to their community for their actions, instead of being sent away to Darwin to face incarceration.
Go directly to gym
By the age of 13 Jason was a regular in the local court, charged with stealing cars, breaking into homes and assaulting people.
The threat of jail never deterred him, but when a local boxing coach encouraged him into the ring Jason found another way to live, and boxing became the only consistent positive in his life.
A sensible alternative to custody
Like many others, incarceration did not provide Julie with any tools for change. But she was determined: “I want to change, you know.”
The Alternative to Custody program supports positive change, providing the practical tools for a better life that are missing from the prison system.
“Over time, I noticed a change in her. She’s old enough to come into the hotel now and when she visits she’s always polite and pleasant.”
The involvement of the local organization played a crucial role in her rehabilitation. “They sent supervisors to work with her during her three weeks here, making sure she understood the consequences of her actions and learned from her mistake.”
Reflecting on the broader impact of such interventions, Jason recognises the importance of fitting the punishment to the crime.
“It’s about finding that balance. Depending on the severity, sometimes tougher penalties might be necessary. Each case is unique.”
While acknowledging the complexities of rehabilitation, Jason remains optimistic about the role of community support.
A few weeks later I received a call from a local organisation. They had come up with a plan
Jason, Goldfields Hotel Publican
“If someone wants to turn their life around, they can. It’s about offering them the right support and guidance.”
In Jason’s view, addressing societal issues requires a multifaceted approach.
“I’m more of a realist. We can’t solve everything overnight. You can’t just pick one problem to fix, you have to work together to deal with it all.”
Jason experience is testament to how smarter justice made up of common-sense solutions does work. It takes a coordinated effort from multiple organizations and initiatives working together.
Through Jason’s story, we see how a community can come together to offer not just consequences, but opportunities for growth and change.
If someone wants to turn their life around they can. It’s about offering them the right guidance and support