BOCSAR Custody Statistics Quarterly Update

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

The latest quarterly custody statistics show a continuation in the upward trend of people behind bars.

This continues to be largely driven by an increase in people refused bail. More than half of the additional people on remand are accused of domestic violence.

The Government has made it much more difficult for serious domestic violence offenders to get bail to better protect victim-survivors. This is entirely appropriate because the level of domestic violence in our community is unacceptable.

Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working.

The BOCSAR quarterly update shows an increase in the number of Aboriginal people in custody. Most of the increase in Aboriginal people in custody since March 2020 are those on remand for domestic violence-related offences.

We remain committed to working towards our Closing the Gap imprisonment targets. The government is working collaboratively with Aboriginal communities to reduce crime and the drivers of crime.

The NSW Government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children.

We are making major investments into domestic violence primary prevention and early intervention to stop this kind of behaviour before it starts.

The NSW Government will continue to look at ways to protect women and children from domestic and family violence.