13.1 Inmate Numbers

Perhaps the most significant change evident in any of the tables in this chapter is total inmate numbers. These have increased from 4,232 at the time of the 1991 census, to 6,240 in 2003(1).

Prison population is a function of two processes: the number of new receptions each year, and the average sentence length. As is shown in Section 13.4, average sentence length has increased steadily over the period discussed.

The increase in inmate numbers has been consistent across both the sentenced and remand populations, as well as both males and females. However, while the overall trend has been upward, decreases in numbers have also occurred (e.g., in 1993). Historically such decreases have tended to be associated with the introduction of new sentencing or parole policies.

Table 13-1 Inmate/detainee numbers

1 Excludes the 595 home detainees