What outcome did the Maranguka Justice Reinvestment program achieve in Bourke?

• A. Maranguka had no measurable impact.
• B. Maranguka Justice Reinvestment reduced police charges and improved school attendance.
• C. Maranguka focused only on housing, not policing.
• D. Maranguka increased police charges and decreased school attendance.

Answer: (B)

Justice reinvestment works by redirecting resources from punishment toward services that prevent offending, especially for young people—like education, mentoring, family support, and stronger ties with police and schools. In Bourke, the Maranguka project brought together community leaders, police, schools, and local services to tackle the factors that lead to youth involvement in the justice system. By focusing on early intervention, improving attendance and engagement in school, and providing targeted supports, the program saw fewer young people facing charges and better school attendance overall. This shows how coordinated social investments can produce tangible improvements in both policing outcomes and education participation. Housing alone was not the focus, and the observed results highlight the broader impact of addressing root causes rather than just enforcing rules.