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International Centre for Prison Studies Screen decoration graphics
Country AUSTRALIA
Ministry responsible Ministry of Justice and Customs
Prison population total
(including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
29,383
at 30.6.2012 (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Prison population rate
(per 100,000 of national population)
130
based on an estimated national population of 22.68 million at end of June 2012 (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners
(percentage of prison population)
23.4%
(30.6.2012)
Female prisoners
(percentage of prison population)
7.5%
(30.6.2012)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners
incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.1%
(30.6.2012 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners
(percentage of prison population)
19.7%
(30.6.2012 - prisoners born outside Australia)
Number of establishments /
institutions
124
(2004 - 81 government operated prisons, 7 privately operated prisons, 4 government operated community custodial facilities, 5 privately operated community custodial facilities, 15 court cell centres, 12 periodic detention centres)
Official capacity of prison system 20,503
(30.6.2000)
Occupancy level (based on official
capacity)
105.9%
(30.6.2000)
Recent prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
1992 15,559 (89)
1995 17,428 (96)
1998 19,906 (106)
2001 22,458 (116)
2004 24,171 (120)
2007 27,224 (130)
2010 29,700 (135)

Please send new or updated information to admin@icps.essex.ac.uk