There were 26,649 sentenced prisoners in Australian prisons, an increase of 2% (486 prisoners) from 30 June, 2015. Over the past five years to 30 June, 2016, the proportion of prisoners that were sentenced decreased from 77% to 69%. (Table 2)
The proportion of prisoners that were sentenced varied from 60% (1,755 prisoners) in South Australia to 72% (1,200 sentenced prisoners) in the Northern Territory. (Table 13)
The largest increase in sentenced prisoners was recorded in New South Wales (4% or 331 prisoners). Victoria and Queensland were the only states to record a decrease in the number of sentenced prisoners (3% or 149 prisoners and 1% or 60 prisoners respectively). (Table 26)
The median aggregate sentence length for sentenced prisoners was 3 years and the median expected time to serve for sentenced prisoners was 2 years. (Tables 10 and 11)
Close to half of all sentenced prisoners (47% or 12,465) had been sentenced in the previous 12 months. (Table 8)
The most common offences for sentenced prisoners were:
Acts intended to cause injury (18%);
Sexual assault and illicit drugs (both 13%); and
Unlawful entry with intent (12%). (Table 1)
Footnote(s): (a) For a definition of most serious offence, see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 85-86. (b) Offences against justice procedures, government security and operations. (c) Includes divisions 4-5, 8-9, 11-14 and 16 of the ANZSOC and prisoners whose offence was unknown.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Acts intended to cause injury was the most common offence for sentenced prisoners in New South Wales (19%), Queensland (19%), Tasmania (20%), Northern Territory (44%) and the Australian Capital Territory (26%). In Western Australia, both acts intended to cause injury and unlawful entry with intent were the most common offences (both 16%). (Table 22)
Of the 3,367 sentenced prisoners with an offence of illicit drug offences, two-thirds (67% or 2,245 prisoners) had an offence of deal or traffic in illicit drugs. (Table 22)
Footnote(s): (a) For a definition of most serious offence, see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 86-87.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Of the 2,381 sentenced prisoners with an offence of homicide, seven out of ten (71% or 1,698 prisoners) had an offence of murder. (Table 22)
Footnote(s): (a) For a description of most serious offence see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 85-86.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
The median aggregate sentence length for sentenced prisoners was highest in South Australia (4.5 years) and lowest in the Northern Territory (1.5 years). (Table 23)
The median expected time to serve for sentenced prisoners was highest in South Australia (3.0 years) and lowest in the Northern Territory (1.0 years). (Table 24)
Document Selection
These documents will be presented in a new window.
Quality Declaration 
Print Page
Print All
, 30 June 2015 and 30 June 2016.GIF)
, states and territories, 30 June 2016.GIF)
 OF HOMICIDE AND RELATED OFFENCES, 30 June 2016.GIF)
