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Australian adult prisoner numbers continue to rise.
The number of prisoners in adult corrective services custody increased by 6% from 38,845 prisoners at 30 June 2016 to 41,202 at 30 June 2017.
Between 2016 and 2017 the national imprisonment rate increased by 4% from 208 to 216 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.
Unsentenced prisoners and sentenced prisoners
The number of unsentenced prisoners in adult corrective services custody increased by 7%, from 12,111 at 30 June 2016 to 12,911 at 30 June 2017. This was a smaller increase than the previous two years where increases of more than 20% were recorded.
Sentenced prisoners increased by 6% from 26,649 to 28,199 prisoners.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
The increase in unsentenced prisoners was accompanied by an increase in the median time spent on remand awaiting trial and/or sentence, which increased 14% from 2.9 to 3.3 months. The Northern Territory was the only state or territory to record a decrease.
Footnote(s): For information on time spent on remand see Explanatory Notes paragraph 51.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Most common offences for prisoners in Australia
The most prevalent offences were Acts intended to cause injury (9,344 or 23%) and Illicit drug offences (6,155 prisoners or 15%).
Since 2016, these two offences had the largest increases in number of prisoners and accounted for the majority (81%) of the national increase in the prison population (6% or 2,357 prisoners).
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, States and territories, 30 June 2015, 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017.GIF)
