4.1 Overview

Presenting data on individuals remanded in custody is quite challenging, given the complexity of the processes surrounding the incarceration of those yet to be convicted of the criminal offences with which they are charged. Prior to their cases being dealt with, persons held in custodial remand are often released on bail, some of whom are then returned to custody when bail conditions are breached. Episodes of time on remand may also be punctuated with multiple moves between Police, Court, Corrections and even psychiatric facilities. This all means that counting remanded in custody episodes is far from simple.

As noted above, when a prison sentence ensues after a period of remand in custody, sentence time is offset by the time already served on remand. Data reported here is based, however, on the applicable status of the offender on any given day, so remand status applies irrespective of whether the remand time contributes to “discharging” the subsequently imposed sentence. As a consequence, sentenced volumes can tend to be artificially suppressed, and remand numbers inflated. This is the case when offenders spend longer periods on remand between being charged and sentenced.

Data in Correction’s IT systems on “remanded in custody” episodes is available from 1998 onwards, which is reflected in the figures on the following pages.