Sentencing Outcomes in the Higher Courts by Percentage

This graph shows the distribution of sentence outcomes in the higher courts in Victoria over the last 30 years.

Figure: Sentencing outcomes in the higher courts, 1981 to 2008-09, by percentage

Imprisonment remains the most common sentencing outcome for people sentenced in Victoria’s higher courts.

Since 1981, the proportion of people sentenced to imprisonment reached its high in 1985 at 58%, and reached its low of 43% in both 1997 and 2004-05. In 2008-09 50% of all people sentenced in the higher courts were sentenced to a term of immediate imprisonment.

The proportion of people sentenced to a wholly or partially suspended sentence first peaked in 1994 at 35% and then again in 2004-05 at 35%. From 2004-05 the rate steadily declined, reaching 27% in 2006-07, before rising again to 32% in 2008-09.

The proportion of people sentenced to a community-based order declined between 1981 (12%) and 1986 (5%), then generally increased, reaching 11% in 1991.  Since 1998 it has remained relatively steady, ranging from 8% in 1997-98 to 11% in 2002-03, before dropping to 6% in 2008-09.

Since their introduction in 1992, the use of intensive correction orders has remained relatively low, ranging between 1% and 3%.

Explanatory Notes

The higher courts include the Supreme Court and County Court. Higher courts data may be subject to minor revision.

In November 2008 the percentages for several sentencing outcomes for a number of previous years were revised to provide more correct estimates of missing data.   

Refer to sentence classification 1981 to 2008-09 for a description of sentence types included in each category for percentages.

Source

Courts Statistical Services, Department of Justice (Victoria). Unpublished data.

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