4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2016 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/12/2016   
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Age

At 30 June, 2016:
  • The median age for both male and female Australian adult prisoners was 34 years of age. The median age of prisoners has increased from 32 years over the past decade. (Tables 1 & 14)
  • Prisoners with an offence/charge of sexual assault had the highest median age (45 years), followed by homicide and related offences (40 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 (398 prisoners per 100,000 persons aged 25 to 29), followed by persons aged 30 to 34 years (390 prisoners per 100,000 persons aged 30 to 34 years). (Table 3)
  • Prisoners aged under 25 years accounted for 16% of the total Australian adult prisoner population (6,349 prisoners), with the most common offences for this cohort being acts intended to cause injury (25% or 1,588 prisoners) followed by unlawful entry with intent (15% or 929 prisoners). (Tables 3 & 5)
  • Persons aged 65 years and over had the lowest imprisonment rate (25 prisoners per 100,000 persons aged 65 years and over), accounting for 2% (919 prisoners) of the total Australian prisoner population. Over half of all prisoners in this age cohort (58% or 536 prisoners) had a most serious offence/charge of sexual assault. (Tables 3 & 5)

Graph Image for PROPORTION OF PRISONERS, age group and most serious offence or charge(a), 30 June 2016

Footnote(s): (a) For a definition of most serious offence or charge, see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 85-87. (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