NSW Custody Statistics Quarterly update June 2025

Key findings: 

Adult custody: 

• In June 2025, the adult custody population was 13,122 (12,219 men and 903 women). Although the adult prison population remains below pre-pandemic levels, it has increased significantly over the past two years, rising by 843 inmates or 6.9% from June 2023 to June 2025.

• The remand population has reached a record high; there are currently 5,800 people on remand. Remandees now make up 44% of inmates and as of June 2025.

• Domestic violence offences have been a key driver of the rising remand population, with the number of adults on remand for DV increasing by 456 (32.9%) since June 2023. Nearly one-third (31.7%) of adults on remand are now in custody for a DV-related offence.

• The number of Aboriginal adults in custody has also risen in the last two years, from 3,711 in June 2023 to 4,386 in June 2025 (up 18.2% or 675 adults). The proportion of adults in custody who are Aboriginal is the highest on record at 33.4%.

Youth detention:

• As of June 2025, 234 young people were in custody (225 boys and 9 girls). This marks a 34% increase compared to June 2023 (up 59 young people from 175 in June 2023).

• The majority of young people in detention are on remand (71.8%).

• Almost one in four young people are currently in detention for a break and enter offence (23.9%).
• In June 2025, there were 140 Aboriginal young people in detention, which is 59.8% of the youth detention population.