4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2016

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/12/2016

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Key findings In this issue Overview + Prisoner characteristics, Australia Sex Age Country of birth Sentenced prisoners Unsentenced prisoners + Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner characteristics + State and Territory profiles + Federal offender characteristics Unsentenced prisoners continue to rise (Media Release) History of changes About this Release	Sex At 30 June, 2016: There were 35,745 male prisoners in Australian prisons, an increase of 8% (2,489 prisoners) from 30 June 2015. The number of female prisoners also increased by 8% (218 prisoners) from 2,876 to 3,094 prisoners. (Table 2) Source(s): Prisoners in Australia Source(s): Prisoners in Australia Since 30 June, 2015, the national male imprisonment rate increased by 6% from 366 to 388 prisoners per 100,000 male adult population; while the female imprisonment rate increased by 6% from 31 to 33 prisoners per 100,000 female adult population. (Table 14) The Northern Territory had the highest imprisonment rate for both males (1,605 prisoners per 100,000 male adult population) and females (148 prisoners per 100,000 female adult population). Tasmania had the lowest imprisonment rate for males (252 prisoners per 100,000 male adult population), whilst Victoria had the lowest imprisonment rate for females (18 prisoners per 100,000 female adult population). (Table 14) Footnote(s): (a) Rate per 100,000 male adult population. See Explanatory Notes, paragraphs 54–57 and 59–62 Source(s): Prisoners in Australia Footnote(s): (a) Rate per 100,000 female adult population. See Explanatory Notes, paragraphs 54–57 and 59–62. Source(s): Prisoners in Australia The most common offences/charges for male prisoners were: Acts intended to cause injury (22%); Illicit drug offences (13%); and Sexual assault (12%). The most common offences/charges for female prisoners were: Acts intended to cause injury and illicit drug offences (both 19%); and Unlawful entry with intent and theft (both 10%). (Table 1) Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.