How to solve the problems of problem-solving courts

Problem-solving courts, also referred to as specialist courts, have been adopted around the world to better address underlying causes of offending.

Although they can vary considerably in how they seek to achieve this, they share a guiding philosophy: by targeting those factors that contributed to the offence, the individual is less likely to reoffend.

In this Research Network webinar, Dr Lacey Schaefer joins us to discuss the experience of problem-solving courts since their introduction to Australia 25 years ago. Dr Schaefer will also talk about some of the prospects and pitfalls of problem-solving courts and provide suggestions for the future.

Following the presentation, VLF Research Director, Professor Nigel J. Balmer and, VLF Principal Researcher, Dr Hugh McDonald host a discussion about the problems of problem-solving courts and where to from here.