4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2010

Quality Declaration

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 09/12/2010

Page tools: Print

Print Page Print all pages in this product

Print All

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 movements may be impacted by the willingness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to self identify.

There were 7,584 prisoners who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at 30 June 2010. This represented just over one quarter (26%) of the total prisoner population, compared with 25% at 30 June 2009. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner numbers increased by 3% between 2009 and 2010. (Table 2.2)

Change in prisoner numbers, by Indigenous status, 30 June 2009 to 30 June 2010, by state and territory
Graph: Change in prisoner numbers, by Indigenous status, 30 June 2009 to 30 June 2010, by state and territory

Graph: Change in prisoner numbers, by Indigenous status, 30 June 2009 to 30 June 2010, by 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 81% of the total prisoner population, while Victoria had the lowest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners (6%). (Table 3.1)