Let's change the sentence

The Diagrama Way

"From punishment to purpose"
"From isolation to inclusion"
"From 'no' to 'yes'"

The Diagrama Model transforms youth detention from a punitive experience into a holistic journey of education, healing, and growth. By addressing the root causes of offending behavior and providing comprehensive support, it achieves dramatically lower recidivism rates and better outcomes for young people, their families, and communities.

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In Australia...

80% of young people
return to detention within 12 months
you are 17 times
more likely if to be in detention if you are Indigenous
it costs $1,750 per day
to keep a young person in detention

Australia's youth justice system is caught in a cycle of ineffectiveness and inequity. High recidivism rates of 80-90% indicate a failure to rehabilitate young offenders, while the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth - who are 17 times more likely to be detained - points to deep-rooted systemic biases. The current approach, focusing on punishment rather than rehabilitation, is not only failing young people but also imposing a significant financial burden on society, with detention costs reaching $1,750 per day per youth.

The low age of criminal responsibility (10 years) funnels vulnerable children into the justice system early, while the high proportion of youth on remand (63%) suggests a system that detains first and questions later. These factors, combined with inadequate educational and mental health support in detention, create a perfect storm that perpetuates cycles of offending rather than breaking them. The ripple effects extend beyond the justice system, impacting families, communities, and the broader social fabric.

By centring the experiences and needs of young people, their families, and communities, we can design a system that prioritises rehabilitation, education, and reintegration. The Diagrama model, with its holistic approach and proven success in reducing recidivism, offers a blueprint for such redesign. By prototyping and iterating on this model within the Australian context, we have the potential to create a youth justice system that truly serves its intended purpose: transforming young lives and enhancing community safety.

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At Diagrama...

80% of young people
reintegrate successfully into the community
100% of youth
participate in a full day of education and structured activities.
it operates at comparable or lower costs
than traditional detention, despite employing more qualified staff.

The Diagrama Model directly tackles Australia's high recidivism rates through its comprehensive rehabilitation approach. With only 13.6% of youth reoffending after completing the program, compared to Australia's 80-90% recidivism rate, the model demonstrates remarkable effectiveness. By providing a full day of education, vocational training, and therapeutic support, Diagrama equips young people with the skills, knowledge, and emotional resilience needed to build positive futures. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of offending behaviour, not just its symptoms, offering a real chance to break the cycle of crime and detention.

To address the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in detention, the Diagrama Model can be adapted to incorporate culturally appropriate practices and interventions. By partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and community leaders, the model can be tailored to respect and integrate Indigenous cultures, healing practices, and connection to country. This culturally responsive approach, combined with Diagrama's focus on family and community involvement, can help reduce the disproportionate impact of the justice system on Indigenous youth and promote more equitable outcomes.

Despite employing more qualified staff and providing comprehensive services, the Diagrama Model operates at costs comparable to or lower than traditional detention facilities. By significantly reducing recidivism rates, the model offers potential long-term cost savings for the Australian system, which currently spends $1,750 per day per youth in detention. Moreover, by focusing on education and skill development, the model invests in young people's future productivity, potentially transforming them from costs to the system into contributors to society. This approach not only addresses immediate fiscal concerns but also promotes sustainable, positive economic impacts for communities and the nation as a whole.

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KEY

AREAS

Education

The Diagrama Model prioritises education as the cornerstone of rehabilitation. Young people engage in a full day of learning, including academic studies, vocational training, and life skills development. This approach not only keeps youth constructively occupied but also equips them with the tools they need to build a positive future, breaking the cycle of reoffending.

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Community

The Diagrama Model recognises that lasting change requires strong support systems. It actively involves families in the rehabilitation process, providing them with resources and guidance to support their child's journey. Community engagement is also emphasised, creating a network of support that extends beyond the walls of the facility and facilitates successful reintegration.

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Well-being

Mental health support is integral to the Diagrama approach. Trained professionals provide trauma-informed care, counselling, and therapy to address underlying issues that contribute to offending behavior. By focusing on mental and emotional well-being, the model helps young people develop resilience, self-awareness, and coping skills essential for successful rehabilitation.

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Chelo

Social worker, diagrama
"When you have structure, you have answers."

Jesús

coordinator, diagrama
"Our centres are not just places of confinement; they are spaces for growth."

Amelia

psychologist, diagrama
"If you want your action to create a future change, you cannot intervene exclusively by punishing."

David

ceo diagrama
"They can be themselves, they can be just kids, and focus in the process of rehabilitating."

Young Person

16 yr old female, diagrama
"Here you get an opportunity to change. They give you time and trust."

Javier

Educator, diagrama
"When you break through with the kids you see that deep down they are kids with needs"

Young Person

15 ye old male, diagrama
"The good thing is that here you pick up better habits and when you get home the family appreciates that."

Enrique

civil servant, government
"There is a fundamental pillar in the model. They are children and they are in progress, they are in a process of building their personality."

Insights from Diagrama's
change-makers

words from spain

CHANGE

THE

SENTENCE

Diagrama on Seven's Spotlight

June 17, 2024

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Kate Bjur - The Diagrama Model Churchill Fellowship

June 17, 2024

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A Blueprint for Change Adapting the lessons of the Spanish Youth Justice System to the Northern Territory

June 17, 2024

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Perceptions and experiences of children and young people in English Custodial Centres and Spanish Re-educational Centres: A comparative study

June 17, 2024

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