The report sets out alternatives to pre-trial detention for New South Wales centred on expanding structured bail supervision and developing community-based approaches to managing individuals outside of full-time custody. Drawing on successful models, the research shows these approaches can reduce pressure on the prison system and more effectively and efficiently deliver corrective services.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience disproportionately high incarceration rates. The growing remand population across Australia contributes to the high imprisonment rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people. This study examines the current literature to understand the factors driving bail refusal as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...

This report examines Victoria’s prison population from 2004 to 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. It finds that Victoria’s prison population increased by 62% in 20 years.

While the Bail Act 1977 includes the general entitlement to bail, amendments to the Act in 2013, 2016 and 2017-8 made it harder for some alleged offenders to be granted bail. This paper examines some of the recent amendments to the Act and outlines some of the consequences of these changes. It also outlines selected...

There was a rapid increase in the remand in custody population in Australia between 2008 and 2018, partly caused by legislative responses to some high-profile offences committed by defendants while on bail. The approach in this study was to explore bail and remand policy that might provide protection to the public, maintain budget responsibility and...