Over-Representation of Indigenous People in Custody in Australia

• NCJ Number: 160922
• Author(s): J Walker; D McDonald
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice no. 47

Annotation

Indigenous people comprise over 15 percent of Australia's prison population, and the aboriginal community and others are concerned about the lack of progress in reducing the level of aboriginal imprisonment.

Abstract

Nationally, aborigines are imprisoned at a rate 13 times that of nonaborigines. Indigenous prisoners are more likely to have prior records than nonindigenous prisoners. The over- representation of aborigines under 21 years of age is higher than for adult prisoners, and aborigines are also over-represented in police custody. According to the 1992 National Prison Census, 2,223 persons of known indigenous origin were in a total prison population of 15,559. Of the 2,223, 93.8 percent were male. Factors involved in the over-representation of aborigines in Australia's prison population are discussed, including the nature of offenses committed, sentencing issues, and employment and educational background. Projections on the extent of indigenous representation in Australian prisons in the year 2011 are made that reflect an upward trend. 12 references, 4 tables, and 4 figures