4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2012 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/04/2013  Reissue
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MOST SERIOUS OFFENCE/CHARGE

A most serious offence/charge is determined for each prisoner (see Explanatory Notes, paragraphs 79-82). At 30 June 2012, the most prevalent offence/charge for prisoners in all states and territories (with the exception of South Australia) was acts intended to cause injury. The Northern Territory had the highest proportion of prisoners with a most serious offence/charge of acts intended to cause injury at 47%, more than double the national figure of 20%. (Table 3.2)

In South Australia, sexual assault was the most prevalent offence/charge at 16%, followed by offences against justice (15%). In Victoria, sexual assault was as prevalent as acts intended to cause injury (both at 15%). (Table 3.2)

Unlawful entry with intent accounted for the second highest proportion of prisoners for Western Australia (16%) and Queensland (15%). The proportion of prisoners with a most serious offence/charge of illicit drugs was well below the national figure of 12% in the Northern Territory (4%), Tasmania (3%), and the Australian Capital Territory (1%), and above the national figure in New South Wales (15%) and Victoria (13%). (Table 3.2)





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