Here is some information gathered from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) concerning the imprisonment of our Indigenous People. Please bear in mind that although Indigenous People make up approximately 20% of our Prison Population, they make up FAR less than that of our general population at 2.4% (ABS)

As of 30th June, 03, there were 25,555 prisoners in Australian gaols and prisons. That is an imprisonment rate of 153 per 100,000 of the adult population.

As of 30th June, 03, the imprisonment rate for Indigenous People was 1,888 prisoners per 100,000 adult population! Indigenous people are 16 TIMES MORE LIKELY to be in custody. The highest recorded imprisonment rate for Indigenous People is in the state of Western Australia and it is 2,744 per 100,000 adult population.

On the 30th June (the last figures I can find) There were 4818 Aboriginal people in prison. The proportion of Indigenous versus non-Indigenous in prison is on the rise. In 1993 it was 15% of the total population, and now, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, Indigenous People account for a whopping 20% of the total Prison Population.

Any thoughts on this? Let's talk about why this is happening...
Thanks.