An economic analysis for aboriginal and Torres Strait islander offenders in Australia: prison vs residential treatment

Indigenous people only make up 2.5% of Australia’s population but figures now show indigenous people make up 26% of Australia’s adult prison population.

This report says greater investment in drug and alcohol treatment will clearly reduce the ever increasing number of Indigenous people in prisons.

The report reveals in 2011 that Australia had 115 correctional custodial facilities and in 2010 – 2011 more than $3 billion was spent on Australian prisons ($2.3 billion was net operating expenditure and $0.8 billion was capital costs). In comparison in 2009 – 2010 there were 30 facilities nationwide providing residential drug and treatment services to Indigenous people.

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