Link to report summary:-
Release date: Wednesday 22 February 2023
New figures released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show the NSW prison population in December 2022 was 12,247, a slight increase of 79 people from December 2021 (or up 0.6%). This is still 1,388 people fewer than the pre-COVID prison population three years ago in December 2019 (13,635, down 10.2%).
This slight growth in the past year has been driven by an increase in the number of defendants in custody on remand awaiting trial or sentence; up 183 people or 4.1% from December 2021. The number of sentenced prisoners declined in the last year (down 104 people or 1.3%).
While the overall adult prison population remains low, the number of Aboriginal adults in custody grew by 166 in the year to December 2022 (up 4.9% to 3,560 in December 2022). Almost one-in-three adults currently in custody in NSW is Aboriginal (29.1%, amongst the highest proportion on record).
The youth detention population at the end of December 2022 was 174, slightly higher than December 2021 (an increase of 14 detainees or up 8.8%).
Further enquiries: Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director, BOCSAR 0423 139 687
Email: bcsr@justice.nsw.gov.au
Copies of the report: www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au