Author Description

This paper examines trends and characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners during the ten years from 1988 to 1998. It examines trends in indigenous imprisonment, analyses the major features of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prison populations and their changes over the 10 year period, and compares the characteristics of indigenous and non indigenous prison populations in terms of demographic composition, legal status, most serious offence leading to imprisonment, sentences imposed by courts and time spent in prison.