17 Times

Feature Documentary, 90 mins

Indigenous Youth are 17 times more likely to be detained than non-Indigenous.

In this hard-hitting feature documentary, investigative journalist Raphael Rowe travels to Australia to confront the pressing and complex issue of Indigenous youth crime.

With a focus on the youth caught in cycles of criminal behaviour and the broader societal response, Raphael dives into the harsh realities of crime and punishment.

Drawing on his experience as a wrongfully convicted man in the UK, now a criminal justice reform advocate, Raphael offers a unique perspective — bringing empathy, experience, and insight to the situation. He meets with young people caught in the criminal justice system, speaks with advocates who favour tough penalties, and explores alternative approaches with experts in Indigenous rights, criminal justice, and youth rehabilitation.

From this investigation, Raphael builds a comprehensive report to present to Australian policymakers, outlining an alternative strategy to tackle Indigenous youth crime.

Ultimately, this documentary is more than an exploration of a complex issue. It is a powerful call for change, pushing policymakers to fix a broken system and offer real hope to all in the community, urging viewers to ask, does the current punitive system work, or is it perpetuating a cycle of harm?