Number and proportion of Aboriginal prisoners in NSW reaches historic high

Link to report summary:-

Release date: Thursday 14 November 2024 


New figures released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show that in September 2024, there were a record number of Aboriginal adults in custody in NSW (4,103 – up 311 or 8.2% since September 2023). Aboriginal adults now make up almost one-third (32%) of the adult custody population - the highest proportion on record.

As of September this year, the NSW adult custody population was 12,897, which is up 625 inmates or 5% from September 2023. Aboriginal inmates account for half of the increase over the last 12 months (50%, or 311 of the additional 625 inmates). 

Executive Director of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Jackie Fitzgerald, says “The Aboriginal prison population is now over 4,000, with Aboriginal adults making up an increasing proportion of the prison population. Unlike the general prison population which remains 1,000 fewer people than prior to the pandemic, the number of Aboriginal adults in prison has soared (up 369 Aboriginal adults or 10% higher compared to February 2020). To put that in perspective, 1 in 27 Aboriginal men and 1 in 280 Aboriginal women in NSW are currently incarcerated."

The recent increase in the prison population is entirely due to an increase in people held on remand, up 660 or 13% since September 2023. The main driver for this is an increase in domestic violence remandees: DV assault (up 29% to 978), DV intimidation/stalking (up 36% to 241), breach Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (up 76% to 81) and DV sexual offences (10% to 349). In September 2024, one-third (31%) or 1,755 adults on remand were in custody for a domestic violence offence.

“People waiting for their court date on remand for domestic violence make up an ever-increasing proportion of the NSW prison population,” Jackie says. “Domestic violence offences accounts for more than half (55%) of the increase in the adult remand population and 58% of the increase in Aboriginal remand population.  This is primarily due to an increase in the rate at which domestic violence defendants are being refused bail (up two percentage points from 20% in Q3 2024 compared to 18% in Q3 2023)”.

For comment please contact: 

Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research. 

Phone: +61 423 139 687 
Email: jackie.fitzgerald@dcj.nsw.gov.au


Last updated:

13 Nov 2024