Western Australia recorded the largest proportional (23%) as well as actual (702) increase in sentenced prisoners between 30 June 2008 and 30 June 2009. The Northern Territory recorded the second highest proportional increase in sentenced prisoners (13% or 97 prisoners). Decreases in the number of sentenced prisoners were recorded in the Australian Capital Territory (12%), South Australia (2%) and Tasmania (less than 1%).
Aggregate sentence length
Excluding prisoners with indeterminate, life with a minimum and periodic detention sentences, the median aggregate sentence length for sentenced prisoners was highest in South Australia (4.6 years or 55 months), followed by Victoria (3.7 years or 44 months). The lowest median aggregate sentence length was in the Northern Territory (1.5 years or 18 months).
Expected time to serve
Expected time to serve takes into account the earliest date of release for sentenced prisoners. Excluding prisoners with indeterminate, life without a minimum, and periodic detention sentences, the median expected time to serve for sentenced prisoners at 30 June 2009 was highest in South Australia (2.8 years or 33 months), followed by Victoria (2.3 years or 27 months). The lowest median expected time to serve was in the Northern Territory (1 year or 12 months).
median sentence length, states and territories(a)
This page last updated 8 December 2010