Prisoner numbers up 3% in 2023: Australia

The number of prisoners in Australia grew by 3 per cent to 41,929, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Prisoners on remand increased by 7 per cent to 15,937. Sentenced prisoners increased by 1 per cent to 25,888.

William Milne, ABS head of crime and justice statistics, said: “The increase in prisoner numbers follows a decrease in 2022.”

“Prisoner numbers rose for offence types such as assault, up 7 per cent, sexual assault rose 6 per cent and burglary, up 9 per cent. In contrast, decreases were seen in offence types such as illicit drug offences, down 6 per cent, and fraud which dropped 12 per cent.”

/ABS Public Release. View in full here.