Still an overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in the criminal justice system
A new report has revealed that as of June 2025, there were 234 young people were in custody, marking a 34 per cent increase compared to June 2023 (up 59 young people from 175 in June 2023) – this new data was released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
As well as the significant rise in the number of young people in detention across the state, the report also highlights the ongoing overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in the criminal justice system.
Aboriginal young people now account for 60 per cent of the total youth detention population despite Aboriginal people making up just 8 per cent of young people in NSW.
Increase in the number held on remand
Executive Director of BOCSAR, Jackie Fitzgerald, said the rise in young people in custody is being driven primarily by an increase in the number of young people held on remand.
‘Currently nearly three in four young people in custody, have not been convicted and are awaiting their day in court. Over the past two years, the number of young people on remand has grown by 28 per cent, rising from 131 to 168.
‘Young people in sentenced custody have also increased from 44 to 66 detainees (up 50 per cent), though they represent a small share of the overall youth custody population.’
Break and enter has emerged as a major contributor to the increase in youth detention, with the number of young people in custody for these offences rising by 229 per cent over the past two years – from 17 in June 2023 to 56 in June 2025. Nearly one in four youth detainees are now in custody for a break and enter offence.
Closing the Gap
Among Aboriginal youth, the increase in break and enter offences accounted for 86 per cent of the overall increase in Aboriginal young people in detention.
‘From 2010 to 2021, NSW saw a steady decline in the number of young people in custody. That trend has now reversed’ said Ms Fitzgerald. ‘This increase is particularly concerning for Aboriginal young people, who were already significantly overrepresented in the justice system. It also places NSW at odds with our Closing the Gap target to reduce the number of Aboriginal young people in detention.’
Adult prison population
As of June 2025, there were 13,122 adults in custody in NSW. The adult prison population increased 7 per cent over the past two years, driven largely by a 20 per cent rise in remand numbers.
Remandees now make up 44 per cent of inmates (up from 4,831 in June 2023 to 5,800 in June 2025). Key drivers of the growth in the adult prison population include an 18 per cent rise in the number of Aboriginal adults in custody and a 24 per cent increase in adults in custody for domestic violence offences.
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