Custody in a correctional institution

During 2012–13, the median sentence length for custody in a correctional institution was 8 months. This varied by principal proven offence:

• acts intended to cause injury was 8 months (8,314 defendants or 26%);
• unlawful entry with intent was 12 months (3,850 defendants or 12%);
• theft was 4 months (3,132 defendants or 10%);
• traffic and vehicle regulatory offences was 6 months (3,032 defendants or 9%); and
• illicit drug offences was 18 months (2,705 defendants or 8%). (Table 53)

Between 2011–12 and 2012–13, the median sentence length for defendants given custody in a correctional institution decreased from 9 months to 8 months. Offences which contributed to this decrease were:

• sexual assault (down from 32 to 24 months);
• acts intended to cause injury (down from 9 to 8 months); and
• dangerous or negligent acts endangering persons (down from 9 to 8 months).

For the same period, the median sentence length increased for two principal proven offences: homicide (from 84 to 96 months) and miscellaneous offences (from 4 to 6 months). (Table 60)