13.9 Age at First Sentence
Prior to 1999 age at first conviction was recorded in the Census. From 1999 onwards the age at first Corrections managed sentence has been recorded.
For female sentenced inmates there is a consistent tendency for at least half of all offenders to receive their first sentence when they are aged between 17 and 22 years.
Table 13-15 Age at first sentence for sentenced females (percent)
|
Age |
1999 |
2001 |
2003 |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
Under 17 |
5.5 |
2.8 |
6.6 |
|
17 - 19 |
41.0 |
50.0 |
34.4 |
|
20 - 24 |
22.0 |
18.2 |
21.9 |
|
25 - 29 |
13.5 |
9.1 |
12.5 |
|
30 - 34 |
6.5 |
4.5 |
8.6 |
|
35 - 39 |
3.0 |
9.7 |
7.0 |
|
40 - 49 |
6.5 |
23.4 |
6.3 |
|
50 + |
2.0 |
2.3 |
2.7 |
|
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
For male sentenced inmates the age at which the first sentence was received is more sharply concentrated between 17 to 19 years of age.
Table 13-16 Age at first sentence for sentenced males (percent)
|
Age |
1999 |
2001 |
2003 |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
Under 17 |
13.2 |
12.5 |
10.8 |
|
17 - 19 |
51.5 |
49.6 |
50.2 |
|
20 - 24 |
15.3 |
16.2 |
16.8 |
|
25 - 29 |
6.4 |
7.0 |
6.1 |
|
30 - 34 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
4.7 |
|
35 - 39 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
3.2 |
|
40 - 49 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
4.4 |
|
50 + |
3.9 |
3.6 |
3.9 |
|
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |