4517.0 - Prisoners in Australia, 2012

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ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/04/2013 Reissue

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Contents >> Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner characteristics >> Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PRISONERS

The willingness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to self identify may contribute to movements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner numbers. Caution should therefore be exercised when interpreting relevant movements.

There were 7,979 prisoners who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at 30 June 2012. This represented just over one quarter (27%) of the total prisoner population. (Table 4.1) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner numbers increased by 4% between 2011 and 2012. (Table 2.2)

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 84% of the total prisoner population, while Victoria had the lowest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners (8%). (Table 3.1)