4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2017 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/12/2017   
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Age

At 30 June 2017:
  • The median age for male Australian adult prisoners was 35 years of age, whilst the median age for females was 34 years of age. The median age of prisoners has increased from 33 years over the past decade. (Tables 1 & 15)
  • Prisoners with an offence/charge of Sexual assault had the highest median age (45 years), followed by Homicide (41 years). Prisoners with an offence/charge of Robbery and extortion had the lowest median age (30 years). (Table 1)
  • Persons aged 25 to 29 years had the highest imprisonment rate (409 prisoners per 100,000 persons aged 25 to 29), followed by persons aged 30 to 34 years (401 prisoners per 100,000 persons aged 30 to 34 years). (Table 4)
  • Persons aged 65 years and over had the lowest imprisonment rate (28 prisoners per 100,000 persons aged 65 years and over), accounting for 3% (1,036 prisoners) of the total Australian prisoner population. Over half of all prisoners in this age cohort (61% or 629 prisoners) had a most serious offence/charge of Sexual assault. (Tables 4 & 6)

Graph Image for PROPORTION OF PRISONERS, Age group and most serious offence or charge(a), 30 June 2017

Footnote(s): (a) For a definition of most serious offence or charge, see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 84-86. (b) Offences against justice procedures, government security and operations (c) Includes divisions 04-05, 08-09, 11-14 and 16 of the ANZSOC and prisoners whose offence is unknown.

Source(s): Prisoners in Australia