Prisoners in Australia

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Contains annual national information on prisoners in custody at 30 June, including demographic information, imprisonment rates, most serious offence.

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Reference period
2022
Released
24/02/2023
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Key statistics

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, Australian prisoners decreased by 6% (2,379) to 40,591.  The imprisonment rate also decreased by 6% from 214 to 201 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022:

  • Sentenced prisoners decreased by 7% (2,056) to 25,624. Unsentenced prisoners decreased by 2% (318) to 14,864.
  • Male prisoners decreased by 5% (2,075) to 37,605. Female prisoners decreased by 10% (315) to 2,977.
  • Prisoners with prior adult imprisonment decreased by 5% (1,307) to 24,416.  Prisoners without prior adult imprisonment decreased by 6% (1,076) to 16,151.

There were decreases in total prisoners in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania; and increases in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

There were various government restrictions implemented across states and territories due to COVID-19 from early 2020 to 2022. These restrictions may be continuing to have an impact on criminal activity and the justice system.

Prisoner characteristics, Australia

Sex

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, male prisoners decreased by 5% (2,075) to 37,605:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 13% (725)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 10% (337)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 11% (290)

Female prisoners decreased by 10% (315) to 2,977:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 14% (94)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 21% (68)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 27% (65)

Age

As at 30 June 2022, the median age was:

  • 35.9 years for all prisoners
  • 36.0 years for males
  • 35.4 years for females
  • Highest at 44.4 for Sexual assault and related offences
  • Lowest at 30.2 years for Robbery, extortion, and related offences

Country of birth

As at 30 June 2022, four in every five prisoners were born in Australia (82% or 33,347).  Prisoners born overseas accounted for 6,148 prisoners.

The most common countries of birth for prisoners born overseas were:

  • New Zealand (2% of total prisoners or 1,010)
  • Vietnam (1% or 593)
  • The United Kingdom (1% or 522)

Legal status

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, sentenced prisoners decreased by 7% (2,056) to 25,624.  There were decreases in most types of most serious offence:

  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 15% (402)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 10% (392)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 18% (358)

Over the same period, unsentenced prisoners decreased by 2% (318) to 14,864. There were both increases and decreases by most serious charge:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 18% (422)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 9% (155)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 2% (118)

The proportion of prisoners who were unsentenced increased from 35% to 37%.

Most serious offence/charge

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, prisoners decreased by 6% (2,379) to 40,591. There were decreases across most types of most serious offence/charge, the largest were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 13% (810)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 11% (412)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 12% (357)

There were increases in most serious offence/charge for:

  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 4% (259)
  • Public order offences, up 27% (29)
  • Property damage and environmental pollution, up 5% (28)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased by 1% (137) to 12,902:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 2% (109)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 6% (95)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 7% (88)

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate decreased by 3% from 2,412 to 2,330 prisoners per 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population.

At 30 June 2022:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners accounted for 32% of all prisoners
  • 91% (11,744) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners were male
  • 9% (1,156) were female
  • The median age was 33.0 years
  • 78% (10,025) had experienced prior adult imprisonment

State/territory

New South Wales

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners decreased by 6% (754) to 12,372.  This was the largest numerical decrease for any of the states and territories.  The largest decreases by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 4% (132)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 6% (127)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 18% (120)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 5%, from 206 to 195 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 6% (701) to 11,558.  Female prisoners decreased by 6% (48) to 820.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners were stable (up 9) at 3,606:

  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 15% (43)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 3% (41)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 9% (37)

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 10% (822) to 7,732:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 13% (223)
  • Robbery, extortion, and related offences, down 26% (119)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 9% (104)

Unsentenced prisoners increased by 2% (72) to 4,646:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 5% (85)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 7% (47)
  • Prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences, down 19% (23)

Prisoners with prior imprisonment decreased by 2% (173) to 6,889.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment decreased by 9% (563) to 5,488.

Victoria

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners decreased by 9% (679) to 6,569. This was the largest proportional decrease for any of the states and territories.  The largest decreases by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 15% (160)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 20% (145)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 7% (116)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 9%, from 139 to 127 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 9% (619) to 6,218.  Female prisoners decreased by 17% (68) to 341.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased by 10% (73) to 695:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 15% (36)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 21% (22)
  • Theft and related offences, down 30% (13).

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 6% (263) to 3,798:

  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 20% (94)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 25% (66)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 9% (50)

Unsentenced prisoners decreased by 13% (420) to 2,763:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 24% (123)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 9% (95)
  • Theft and related offences, down 33% (65)

Prisoners with prior imprisonment decreased by 9% (337) to 3,489.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment decreased by 10% (347) to 3,072.

Queensland

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners decreased by 6% (576) to 9,376.  There were both increases and decreases by most serious offence/charge:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 19% (276)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 10% (124)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 11% (110)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 8%, from 248 to 229 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 6% (505) to 8,523.  Female prisoners decreased by 8% (78) to 850.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased by 2% (69) to 3,410:

  • Offences against justice, down 21% (71)
  • Robbery, extortion, and related offences, up 10% (34)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 8% (26)

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 10% (711) to 6,161:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 17% (190)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 17% (154)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 18% (123)

Unsentenced prisoners increased by 4% (123) to 3,153:

  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 29% (91)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 24% (87)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, up 32% (65)

Prisoners with prior imprisonment decreased by 6% (414) to 6,383.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment decreased by 5% (167) to 2,990.

South Australia

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners decreased by 2% (56) to 3,049.  There were both increases and decreases by most serious offence/charge:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 29% (107)
  • Theft and related offences, up 111% (101)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 30% (61)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 4%, from 221 to 212 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 1% (30) to 2,839.  Female prisoners decreased by 12% (30) to 213.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners were stable (down 1) at 743:

  • Robbery, extortion, and related offences, down 33% (27)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 11% (26)
  • Theft and related offences, up 76% (25)

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 2% (34) to 1,680:

  • Offences against justice, down 31% (65)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 12% (49)
  • Theft and related offences, up 70% (30)

Unsentenced prisoners decreased by 1% (down 9) at 1,375:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 61% (114)
  • Theft and related offences, up 132% (66)
  • Offences against justice, up 37% (60)

Prisoners with prior imprisonment decreased by 7% (115) to 1,620.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment increased by 4% (57) to 1,428.

Western Australia

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners decreased by 7% (440) to 6,276.  The largest decreases by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 10% (123)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 6% (91)
  • Dangerous/negligent acts, down 20% (83)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 10%, from 326 to 293 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 6% (367) to 5,712.  Female prisoners decreased by 12% (80) to 561.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased by 5% (143) to 2,521:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 7% (62)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 6% (32)
  • Robbery, extortion, and related offences, down 8% (30)

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 6% (260) to 4,372:

  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 11% (77)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 8% (64)
  • Dangerous or negligent acts endangering person, down 16% (48)

Unsentenced prisoners decreased by 8% (170) to 1,883:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 25% (82)
  • Robbery, extortion, and related offences, down 16% (39)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 18% (36)

Prisoners with prior imprisonment decreased by 9% (371) to 3,880.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment decreased 3% (68) to 2,398.

Tasmania

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners decreased by 2% (12) to 630.  There were both increases and decreases by most serious offence/charge:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 10% (15)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, down 13% (7)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 8%, from 149 to 138 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners were stable (down 2) to 585.  Female prisoners decreased by 20% (11) to 43.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased by 6% (9) to 143.

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 6% (25) to 416:

  • Robbery, extortion, and related offences, down 33% (15)
  • Homicide and related offences, down 21% (12)

Unsentenced prisoners increased 6% (12) to 207, those with a most serious charge of Acts intended to cause injury, increased 18% (12).

Prisoners with prior imprisonment decreased by 1% (5) to 424.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment decreased by 4% (8) to 205.

Northern Territory

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners increased by 8% (135) to 1,934. This was the largest numeric and percentage increase of any of the states and territories. The largest increases by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 12% (105)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 47% (24)

The imprisonment rate increased by 6%, from 971 to 1,027 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners increased by 8% (140) to 1,816.  Female prisoners decreased by 12% (15) to 114.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 9% (143) to 1,683:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 14% (114)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 31% (17)

Sentenced prisoners increased by 7% (83) to 1,246:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 11% (59)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 70% (21)

Unsentenced prisoners increased by 9% (55) to 692:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 12% (44)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, up 44% (12)

Prisoners with prior imprisonment increased by 8% (111) to 1,438.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment increased by 6% (28) to 499.

Australian Capital Territory

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, total prisoners increased by 1% (2) to 381.  There were both increases and decreases by most serious offence/charge:

  • Offences against justice, down 48% (46)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 33% (26)

The imprisonment rate decreased by 6%, from 113 to 107 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners increased by 2% (6) to 360.  Female prisoners were stable at 21.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased by 2% (2) to 96. There were increases and decreases by most serious offence/charge:

  • Offences against justice, down 46% (12)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 37% (10)

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 9% (23) to 225:

  • Offences against justice, down 52% (38)
  • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences, down 100% (18)

Unsentenced prisoners increased by 21% (27) to 156, those with a most serious charge of Acts intended to cause injury increased by 33% (14).

Prisoners with prior imprisonment were stable at 294.  Prisoners without prior imprisonment decreased by 3% (2) to 78.

Federal Offender characteristics

From 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, federal prisoners nationally decreased by 5% (76) to 1,390.

At 30 June 2022, compared to the total prisoner population, federal prisoners had a higher proportion of prisoners in New South Wales (47% compared to 30%) and Victoria (27% compared to 16%).

On average federal prisoners were older than the total prisoner population with a median age of 40 years compared to 36 years.

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Prisoners in Australia data cubes

Data files

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 4517.0.

Post-release changes

10 May 2023: New information has been released on statistics about federal offenders (prisoners and parolees) under the authority of corrective services agencies at 30 June 2022.

Methodology

Prisoners in Australia methodology, 2022

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