Prison: The Last Resort?- an examination of the expansion of the Australian Prison Population over 25 years

Adjunct Professor Peter Norden AO

Australian & New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference

Flinders University, Adelaide

November 2015

What is the current reality?

ABS Report Corrective Service Australia4512.0 March Quarter 2015 reported:

“Australia’s national Prison population passes 35,000 for the first time”.

This represented a 6.7% increase in a year.The previous year saw a 9.8% increase.Australia’s population was increasing at 1.2% a year

Examine the figures from 1982……..1982 Pop: 9,826 Rate: 89.81983 10,196 91.61984 9,694 85.61985 10,844 94.11986 11,497 97.61987 12,113 100.81988 12,321 100.41989 12,965 103.51990 14,305 112.21991 15,021 116.01992 15,559 118.31993 15,866 119.21994 16,944 125.51995 17,428 127.31996 18,193 130.91997 19,082 134.91998 19,906 139.2

Examine the figures from 1982……..

2000 Pop: 21,714 Rate: 148.02001 22,458 151.02002 22,492 148.02003 23,555 153.02004 24,171 158.82005 25,353 164.22006 25,790 165.12007 27,224 171.12008 27,615 169.82009 29,317 176.02010 29,700 175.02011 29,106 168.82012 29,381 167.42013 30,775 172.22014 33,791 185.62015 35,467 194.0

How to explain this dramatic increase?

- a proportionate increase in crime?- the statistics indicate this is not so.

- a serious economic downturn?- it has been a period of economic growth.

- significant changes in social structure?- there is evidence that this is relevant.- growing divide in Australian society.- restructure of employment opportunities.

How to explain this dramatic increase?

- changed role of media crime monitoring

- reshaping of public opinion on crime

- the introduction of private prisons interests

- significant changes in sentencing policy

- reform of bail laws and parole policies

Examine State/Territory rate differences:NSW VIC QLD WA SA NT

1982 96.3 60.8 95.4 142.3 83.1 369.3

1985 100.8 62.1 108.8 146.5 76.7 339.0

1990 143.1 70.3 107.4 145.2 85.4 369.9

1995 164.8 71.8 116.6 170.4 123.1 389.8

1998 158.7 79.7 171.3 170.4 120.2 474.9

Dramatic disparity between the increase in national prison population and Australia’s pop:

From 1990 – 2012, the prison population increased from 14,305 up to 29,106.

- 104% increase in prison population

- 33% increase in the national population

Further dramatic increases:

This trend has increased even further in last two years:

- a 9.8% increase from June 2013 to June 2014

- a further 6.7% increase from March 2014 to March 2015.

Some International Comparisons:

- United States prison expansion: 2.4 million locked up 7 million under correctional control $80 billion spent on corrections ea yr.

- after 40 years of growth, the tide turns- drug offences and non-violent crimes

Growth in United States Incarceration Numbers:

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United States growth in incarceration 1925-2012:

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2.4 Million locked up in the United States prisons/jails…

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Justice Reinvested: Texas 2006/7… data driven, consensus based options to prison.… J.R. policies adopted in 2008/9 biennial budget

Result:- increased treatment options in prison system by 5,200 program slots for drug treatment - expanded diversion options in probation and parole by 4,500 beds for technical violations of probation/parole- mitgated growth by 9,000 inmates and saved the State of Texas $443 million!- The State then reinvested $241 million to expland in prison and community based treatment & diversion.

How to bring about such a change in Aust?

Need to reach a point of conviction that present policies are not leading to greater community safety or community cohesion.

Bipartison commitment to develop constructive social policies that achieve positive outcomes for the community.

Data driven & consensus based options….?

Increased investment in social planning and community development programs in our new communities:

- crime prevention needs to be more than graffiti removal and better public lighting

- we need to begin building new communities not just housing estates

- integration of new ethnic/cultural groups

New Metropolitan Housing Strategy:

- the rapid planned expansion of the housing market poses both opportunities and threats

- possible negative impact on public health and wellbeing goals

- increased fears and perceptions about public safety and law and order issues often result

- integrated planning can lead to more liveable communities and greater social cohesion

Ingredients of Integrated Planning: (in addition to increase in housing stock)

- efficient provision of public transport

- range of local educational and employment options

- access to local health promotion services

- development of recreational and leisure facilities

- increased collaboration with local government and non government services

Features of successful interventions:

- must consult / engage / empower

- holistic intervention required

- sustained interventions over 5-10 years

- focus on crime prevention & development of cohesive, liveable & affordable communities