5.1 Previous Sentences

The number of previous sentences served by offenders gives an indication of the extent of offending “careers”. In reporting counts of previous sentences received by offenders, it is important to clarify that this term is not equivalent to previous offences, charges or convictions. Counted here is the number of Court-imposed sentences administered by the Department of Corrections (i.e., either community sentences or imprisonment, but not including fines, discharge following conviction, or other lesser sentences). Sentences associated with the inmate's current custodial period are excluded. Further important information about the definition of “sentences” used here is covered in Section 17.2.

On average, female inmates had fewer previous sentences than their male counterparts. Over a third (34%) of female sentenced inmates had no previous sentences, but 44 percent had more than ten previous sentences.

For male sentenced inmates, 21 percent had no previous sentences, and over half (55%) had more than ten previous sentences.

Interestingly, 3.8 percent of sentenced inmates, and 6.6 percent of remand inmates (see Section 11.3 for remanded inmate data) had more than 100 previous sentences.

Table 5-1 Number of previous sentences for sentenced inmates