This report examines Victoria’s prison population in the 20 years from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2024. It considers the lengths of prison sentences imposed in Victorian courts, the demographics of Victorian prisoners, the sentenced and unsentenced (remand) populations, and the flow of prisoners through the prison system. 

Key findings

• Victoria’s prison population increased by 62% in the 20 years to 30 June 2024.
• The number of people on remand increased from 18% of the prison population in 2005 to 34% of the prison population in 2024.
• The number of people sentenced to prison each year increased by 39% over the 20 years. However, 61% of all prison sentences were short prison sentences of less than 6 months.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults continue to be overrepresented in Victoria’s prison population, with the imprisonment rate for Aboriginal Victorians increasing by 68% between 2005 and 2024.
• Over the same period, the imprisonment rate for Victorian women decreased by 23%.