4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2011

Quality Declaration

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/12/2011

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Contents >> Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner characteristics >> ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PRISONERS

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PRISONERS

Caution should be exercised when interpreting movements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner numbers as data movements may be impacted by the willingness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to self identify.

There were 7,656 prisoners who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at 30 June 2011. This represented just over one quarter (26%) of the total prisoner population, no change in the proportion from 2010. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner numbers increased by 1% between 2010 and 2011. (Table 2.2)

Change in prisoner numbers by Indigenous status, between 30 June 2010 and 30 June 2011, state and territory
Graph: Change in prisoner numbers by Indigenous status, between 30 June 2010 and 30 June 2011, state and territory

Graph: Change in prisoner numbers by Indigenous status, between 30 June 2010 and 30 June 2011, state and territory

The proportion of prisoners who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander varied across states and territories. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner population in the Northern Territory comprised 82% of the total prisoner population, while Victoria had the lowest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners (6%). (Table 3.1)