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There were 28,199 sentenced prisoners in Australian prisons, an increase of 6% (1,550 prisoners) from 30 June 2016. Over the past five years to 30 June 2017, the proportion of prisoners that were sentenced decreased from 77% to 68%. (Table 2)
The proportion of prisoners that were sentenced varied from 62% (1,876 prisoners) in South Australia to 72% (426 prisoners) in Tasmania. (Table 14)
The largest increase in sentenced prisoners was recorded in Queensland (9% or 466 prisoners). The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory were the only state or territory to record a decrease in the number of sentenced prisoners (5% or 62 prisoners and 9% or 28 prisoners respectively). (Table 27)
The median aggregate sentence length for sentenced prisoners was 3.0 years and the median expected time to serve for sentenced prisoners was 1.8 years. (Tables 11 and 12)
Close to half of all sentenced prisoners (47% or 13,213) had been sentenced in the previous 12 months. (Table 9)
The most common offences for sentenced prisoners were:
Acts intended to cause injury (18%);
Illicit drug offences (14%);
Sexual assault (13%); and
Unlawful entry with intent (11%). (Table 1)
Footnote(s): (a) For a definition of most serious offence, see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 84-86. (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 is 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 (18%), Tasmania (22%), the Northern Territory (42%) and the Australian Capital Territory (25%). In South Australia and Victoria, Sexual assault was the most common offence (17% and 16%, respectively). In Western Australia, the most common offence for sentenced prisoners was Illicit drug offences (19%). (Table 23)
Of the 3,941 sentenced prisoners with Illicit drug offences, approximately two-thirds (69% or 2,712 prisoners) had an offence of Deal or traffic in illicit drugs. (Table 23)
Footnote(s): (a) For a definition of most serious offence, see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 84-86.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
Of the 2,486 sentenced prisoners with an offence of Homicide, seven out of ten (70% or 1,747 prisoners) had an offence of Murder. (Table 23)
Footnote(s): (a) For a description of most serious offence see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 84-86.
Source(s): Prisoners in Australia
The median aggregate sentence length for sentenced prisoners was highest in South Australia (4.3 years) and lowest in the Northern Territory (1.5 years). (Table 24)
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, 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017.GIF)
, States and territories, 30 June 2017.GIF)
 OF HOMICIDE AND RELATED OFFENCES, 30 June 2017.GIF)
