- Posted on 23 Oct 2025
- 3 minutes read
New research explores ways to break the cycle of the rising trend of school suspensions in NSW and their connection to students’ interaction with the criminal justice system.
A new policy insights paper released by the Australian Public Policy Institute shows NSW government schools suspended a record number of students in high schools in 2024, approximately one in ten students.
Disrupting the school-prison nexus in NSW: Inclusive and evidence-based alternatives identifies practical, evidence-based strategies to create safer learning environments for students, teachers and schools to support long-term outcomes.
Dr Archie Thomas, a UTS Chancellor’s Research Fellow and recent winner of a 2025 Paul Bourke Award, and Dr Samara Hand, Lecturer in law at UNSW, produced the report as part of their joint APPI Policy Fellowship.
The report argues the broader use of school suspensions and exclusions can contribute to a “school-prison nexus”.
Rather than improving behaviour, suspension and expulsions can be a predictor of further exclusion, creating a vicious cycle for students from marginalised backgrounds.
Indigenous and disabled students are suspended at 2.5 times the rate of other students in NSW government schools.
Dr Archie Thomas
UTS Chancellor's Research Fellow
“By working together across schools, communities, and government, we can strengthen inclusion, support teachers and ensure all students can remain engaged in learning," said Dr Archie Thomas.
"There are many other evidence-based, practical and empowering tools that can be used to address behavioural issues in schools.”
Drawing on examples from NSW and international practice, including restorative justice models in Chicago, community-led approaches in Canada, and policy transformation in Scotland, the report identifies six key collaborative policy opportunities.
These include developing a NSW school discipline framework that focuses on keeping students in school and supporting alternatives based on restorative justice models.
“Focusing on inclusion and restorative approaches gives schools practical tools to support all students and reduce the reliance on exclusionary discipline," said Dr Samara Hand.
We need to invest in measures that can reduce growing rates of suspension and, in turn, improve inclusive school cultures and reduce incarceration."
Report author Dr Thomas was one of four early career researchers to be recognised with a 2025 Paul Bourke Award by the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia for his work exploring how communities change schools and media institutions for social justice.
“The Academy is proud to highlight these rising stars of the social sciences, and we look forward to seeing how their research continues to shape our understanding of human behaviour and societal development,” said Academy president Professor Kate Darian-Smith.
Read the report
View the policy insights paper Disrupting the school-prison nexus in NSW: Inclusive and evidence-based alternatives.
Some facts from the policy paper:
10.5%
suspension rate in NSW secondary schools 2024
6.5%
suspension rate in NSW secondary schools 2019
55.6%
of prisoners under age 17 have been expelled from school
93.8%
of prisoners had been suspended from school at least once
News
Buying units near Sydney’s train stations has become more affordable since COVID 19, however rents have not, a new study from the UTS has found.
News
A new survey shows children’s chronic pain is often dismissed as anxiety or attention-seeking.
News
A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain.
News
The 2025 FoodWISE Asia Pacific Regional Meeting on Food and Water Security was held at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) between September 17-19.
News
Buying units near Sydney’s train stations has become more affordable since COVID 19, however rents have not, a new study from the UTS has found.
News
A new survey shows children’s chronic pain is often dismissed as anxiety or attention-seeking.
News
A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain.
News
The 2025 FoodWISE Asia Pacific Regional Meeting on Food and Water Security was held at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) between September 17-19.