New figures released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) have shown that the NSW prison population rose by 3.6 per cent in 2019.
Acting Executive Director of BOCSAR, Jackie Fitzgerald said the prison population in December (13,635) was only slightly lower than the highest ever previous number of 13,651 in May 2018.
“The increase between December 2018 and December 2019 was largely due to a rise in the number of sentenced prisoners, up 4.9 per cent or 417 people,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“The number of prisoners on remand awaiting court rose only slightly, up 1.2 per cent or 53 people,” she said.
Ms Fitzgerald said the steady increase in the prison population over the past year was expected to continue.
“Forecasts suggest that in the coming year the male prison population will increase again by more than 200,” she said.
She said the number of young people in detention had remained low in 2019, by historic standards.
“In December 2019 there were 275 young people in detention.”
“This is roughly similar to the previous year but 40 fewer than in December 2013,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
The 44-page BSOCAR custody statistics report can be accessed at this PS News link.