Improving Aboriginal adult literacy rates: What potential does the ‘Yes, I Can!’ Adult literacy campaign have for reducing offending and improving interactions with the criminal justice system in NSW Aboriginal communities?

Abstract

This research addresses the overarching question: What impact has the Literacy for Life Foundation (LFLF) ‘Yes, I Can!’ adult literacy campaign had on Aboriginal members’ encounters with the criminal justice system in the NSW towns of Bourke and Enngonia? ‘Yes, I Can!’ uses a campaign model to raise the adult literacy rate within a community. It was introduced in Wilcannia in 2012, and extended to Bourke and Enngonia Aboriginal communities in 2013–14, running four different times in Bourke and once in Enngonia. The team identified the following research questions: 1. Has the campaign facilitated improved interactions with officials in the justice system? 2. Has participation in the campaign influenced how community members access legal resources and advocacy? 3. Do informants see any change in the frequency of encounters with the justice system following participation in the campaign? 4. Does participation influence how criminal justice officials respond to individual community members?