Australian born prisoners accounted for four in every five prisoners (81% or 31,562 prisoners), whilst Australian born persons accounted for two-thirds (66%) of the Australian population aged 17 years and over.
Overseas born prisoners accounted for 18% of all prisoners (6,871 prisoners) and overseas born persons accounted for just over one-third (34%) of the Australian population aged 17 years and over. (Table 21 and unpublished data from ABS cat. no. 3101.0Australian Demographic Statistics)
Victoria had the highest proportion of overseas born prisoners (25% or 1,619 prisoners). Of these, the most common country of birth was Vietnam (20% of overseas born prisoners or 329 prisoners).
Since 2015, the largest increase in the number of overseas born prisoners were recorded in New Zealand and Vietnam (up 7% or 72 prisoners and 9% or 69 prisoners, respectively). (Table 21 and historical data)
From 2009 to 2016 for overseas born prisoners:
Prisoners born in New Zealand have had the most notable increase since 2009, going up 42% (806 to 1,147 prisoners), while the imprisonment rate for New Zealand born prisoners also grew over this time, going up 13% from 188 to 213 prisoners per 100,000 resident population born in New Zealand. (Table 21 and historical data)
Footnote(s): (a) Excludes SARs and Taiwan province. (b) Includes Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
In relation to the top six countries of birth for overseas born prisoners as at 30 June, 2016:
Acts intended to cause injury was the most common offence for prisoners born in New Zealand and Sudan, representing 24% and 33% of these populations respectively.
Illicit drug offences was the most common offence for prisoners born in Vietnam, China and Lebanon representing 69%, 65% and 28% of these populations, respectively. Vietnam born prisoners with illicit drug offences account for one-tenth (11%) of all prisoners with an illicit drug offence.
Sexual assault was the most common offence for prisoners born in the United Kingdom, representing 30% of all prisoners born in the United Kingdom. (Table 6)
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