4512.0 - Corrective Services, Australia, March Quarter 2015 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/06/2015   
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MEDIA RELEASE
11 June 2015
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
70/2015

Prisoner numbers pass 35,000 for the first time

National prisoner numbers have reached a record high level of 35,467 persons in the March quarter 2015, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The Corrective Services Australia quarterly publication contains national, and state and territory information on persons in adult custody and community-based corrections in Australia.

"The overall number of prisoners in Australia has increased annually by 2,221 persons (seven per cent) between the March quarter 2014 and the March quarter 2015," said William Milne from the ABS.

"The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased annually by 618 persons (seven per cent) to 9,838 persons."

"The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate was 12 times higher than the overall imprisonment rate in the March quarter 2015," said Mr Milne.

In contrast to prisoner number increases, the number of persons serving community-based corrections orders has remained relatively steady at 55,995 persons in the March quarter 2015.

Mar Qtr 15
Dec Qtr 14 to Mar Qtr 15
Mar Qtr 14 to Mar Qtr 15
% change
% change
Persons in full-time custody
35,467
2.4
6.7
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in full-time custody
9,838
3.7
6.7
Persons in community-based corrections
55,995
-0.7
0.5

Further information can be found in Corrective Services, Australia, March Quarter 2014 (cat. no 4512.0), available for free download from the ABS website - https://www.abs.gov.au

Media notes:

  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.