There were 41,202 prisoners in Australian prisons, an increase of 6% (2,357 prisoners) from 30 June 2016.
Between 2016 and 2017 the national imprisonment rate increased by 4% from 208 to 216 prisoners per 100,000 adult population. (Table 2)
Seven out of ten prisoners (68% or 28,199 prisoners) were sentenced, whilst 31% (12,911 prisoners) were unsentenced.
The most common offences/charges for prisoners were:
Acts intended to cause injury (23%);
Illicit drug offences (15%);
Sexual assault (12%); and
Unlawful entry with intent (10%). (Table 1)
Acts intended to cause injury was the most common offence/charge across all states and territories. The proportion of prisoners with this offence/charge ranged from 17% (523 prisoners) in South Australia to nearly half of all prisoners in the Northern Territory (47% or 745 prisoners). (Table 16)
The offence/charge with the largest numerical increase in prisoners was Acts intended to cause injury, which went up 12% (980 prisoners).
The second largest numerical increase was in Illicit drug offences, which went up 18% (919 prisoners). This offence was the second most prevalent in 2017, following Acts intended to cause injury.
The largest decrease in offence type was Theft, which went down by 8% (132 prisoners). (Table 3)
Males accounted for 92% of all prisoners (37,905 prisoners), and females the remaining 8% (3,299 prisoners).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners accounted for just over a quarter (27% or 11,307 prisoners) of the total Australian prisoner population. The total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population aged 18 years and over in 2017 was approximately2% of the Australian population aged 18 years and over (based on Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) and Estimates and Projections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2001 to 2026 (cat. no. 3238.0)). (Table 1)
Footnote(s): (a) Prior adult imprisonment under sentence.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Footnote(s): (a) Prior adult imprisonment under sentence.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Since 30 June 2016, the adult prisoner population increased across all states and territories except for the Northern Territory, which decreased by 4% (65 prisoners). Queensland and Victoria experienced the largest increases in prisoner numbers, which went up by 730 and 627 prisoners, respectively. (Table 15)
New South Wales had the largest adult prisoner population, comprising nearly one-third (32% or 13,149 prisoners) of the total Australian adult prisoner population, followed by Queensland (21% or 8,476 prisoners) and Victoria (17% or 7,149 prisoners). (Table 14)
The Northern Territory had the highest imprisonment rate (878 prisoners per 100,000 adult population) whilst the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest imprisonment rate (141 prisoners per 100,000 adult population). (Table 17)
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Footnote(s): (a) Rate per 100,000 adult population. See Explanatory Notes paragraphs 53-62.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
In all states and territories, at least half of all prisoners were recorded as having had prior adult imprisonment under sentence, with the highest proportions in the Australian Capital Territory (75% or 337 prisoners) followed by the Northern Territory (72% or 1,155 prisoners). (Table 14)
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