Desi grew up with older cousins who were involved in crime, in a neighbourhood where gangs were cool. He was taken away at a young age from his parents who struggled with alcoholism, and like many Aboriginal families, separated from his sisters.

Desi got into petty crime at a young age, and was on track to join the vast majority of young incarcerated Aboriginal boys at WA's juvenile detention centre, who come from a background of inter-generational trauma and institutionalised racism.

But something happened to Desi that changed his life's trajectory.

This is his story.

To join the campaign for a better Western Australian youth justice system head to www.socialreinvestmentwa.org.au.