The number of people in prison in Australia has reached an all-time high and continues to rise, with almost half of them unconvicted, local broadcaster ABC News reported on Sunday, citing official figures.
This comes after every state and territory has implemented or is currently implementing bail reforms aimed at tightening laws, particularly for juvenile offenders, in recent years, according to the broadcaster.
Recently released figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed a steady increase in the number of prisoners over the past three years.
The number of people in custody has risen from 40,330 in March 2022 to 46,081 currently.
The number of unconvicted prisoners increased by eight per cent, an increase of 1,345 people, in the last quarter, reaching a total of 19,119. These people now make up 42 per cent of the total prison population.
The incarceration rate has risen to 214 people per 100,000 adults, with men making up 92 percent of prisoners.
The Indigenous community has the highest incarceration rate, with 2,559 per 100,000 Indigenous adults, representing 37 percent of all prisoners.
According to the World Prison Brief, Australia has the seventh highest incarceration rate among G20 countries.
