Circle sentencing was not only "culturally important" it sometimes led to harsher penalties than a traditional court might impose, according to local magistrate, Jeff Linden.
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Magistrate Linden is a key participant in the Lismore Circle Sentencing Court Program which was acknowledged and celebrated on Thursday.
He said he could not think of a sentence handed down that had been "too lenient".
Circle Sentencing is an alternative sentencing method for Aboriginal offenders, in which the magistrate works with Aboriginal elders, victims and the offender's family to determine an appropriate sentence.
The Circle Sentencing Court program has been acknowledged as a big success.
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It won the NSW Premiers Awards in 2020, but due to bushfires, COVID-19 and floods its success couldn't be marked in any particular way.
The actual Premiers Award is making its way around NSW stopping at each location in which Circle Sentencing Court is utilised. It made its way to Lismore last week and a ceremony was held to make the occasion.
Magistrate Linden said the defendant got more our of circle sentencing than they ever would going to court.
"It is very, very touching sometimes the knowledge the elders have," he said.
"Sometimes they have come up with decisions where I have thought 'wow, that is pretty tough'.
"But obviously that was the elders' decision and therefore it was appropriate."
Magistrate Linden said the award was recognition that Circle Sentencing was very effective and an important part of the judicial process
"I was daunted to be honest at the start because I didn't know exactly what was going to happen," he said.
"But it just took about one or two circles to work out exactly a program that happened.
"Culturally it is very important because it places that defendant in front of those elders."
For Ros Sten, an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer with NSW Police, circle sentencing was particularly effective because it involves people who know the defendant.
"They can't come and fool us," she said.
"Local people sit on it, there are connections, and a lot of us know their way, way backgrounds.
"Some of the participants who come in, it gives them an opportunity to hear about their parents and grandparents in a positive way."
Participants in the circle program had to admit their guilt before taking part.
"It is not a playground where we have a talk and away they go," Ms Sten said.
"We hold them accountable and support them in what they need to get back on track."
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
