WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding sentencing and recidivism rates for individuals convicted of murder/wilful murder in WA over the past four decades. Data limitations are noted for earlier periods.

AnsweredQoN 511Legislative Assembly
Asked
22 November 2005
Portfolio
Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Approximately what percentage of criminals who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder are never released from prison?
(2) Approximately what is the average number of years served in prison by people who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder?
(3) How many people have been convicted of murder and/or wilful murder in Western Australia in each of the last four decades?
(4) How many of the people referred to in question (3) have been released from prison?
(5) How many of the people referred to in question (3), who were released from prison, later committed serious offences and what were those offences?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
3 January 2006
Response time
42 days
a. Data for the first two decades (i.e. 1965-1985) is unreliable and incomplete in view of the lack of database systems operating at that time. b. Cases where prisoners were paroled to a Mental Health facility and where juveniles were transferred to Adult Prisons have been excluded from the calculations of average imprisonment years as much as possible. (1) For sentences imposed between 1/7/65 and 30/6/05, only one person received a sentence of 'Never to be Released' for multiple Wilful Murder offences. However, that sentence was set aside by the High Court of Australia. Of the people in prison sentenced for Wilful Murder or Murder, 190 were released and 14 died in custody. (2) The approximate average number of years served in prison by people who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder is: Sentences 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 9.71 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 7.60 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 9.04 years Sentences 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 7.18 years Overall: 1/7/1965 to 30/6/2005: 8.36 years Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
b. Cases where prisoners were paroled to a Mental Health facility and where juveniles were transferred to Adult Prisons have been excluded from the calculations of average imprisonment years as much as possible. (1) For sentences imposed between 1/7/65 and 30/6/05, only one person received a sentence of 'Never to be Released' for multiple Wilful Murder offences. However, that sentence was set aside by the High Court of Australia. Of the people in prison sentenced for Wilful Murder or Murder, 190 were released and 14 died in custody. (2) The approximate average number of years served in prison by people who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder is: Sentences 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 9.71 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 7.60 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 9.04 years Sentences 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 7.18 years Overall: 1/7/1965 to 30/6/2005: 8.36 years Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
(1) For sentences imposed between 1/7/65 and 30/6/05, only one person received a sentence of 'Never to be Released' for multiple Wilful Murder offences. However, that sentence was set aside by the High Court of Australia. Of the people in prison sentenced for Wilful Murder or Murder, 190 were released and 14 died in custody. (2) The approximate average number of years served in prison by people who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder is: Sentences 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 9.71 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 7.60 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 9.04 years Sentences 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 7.18 years Overall: 1/7/1965 to 30/6/2005: 8.36 years Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
Of the people in prison sentenced for Wilful Murder or Murder, 190 were released and 14 died in custody. (2) The approximate average number of years served in prison by people who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder is: Sentences 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 9.71 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 7.60 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 9.04 years Sentences 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 7.18 years Overall: 1/7/1965 to 30/6/2005: 8.36 years Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
(2) The approximate average number of years served in prison by people who are convicted of murder and/or wilful murder is: Sentences 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 9.71 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 7.60 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 9.04 years Sentences 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 7.18 years Overall: 1/7/1965 to 30/6/2005: 8.36 years Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
Sentences 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 9.71 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 7.60 years - Data is not reliable Sentences 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 9.04 years Sentences 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 7.18 years Overall: 1/7/1965 to 30/6/2005: 8.36 years Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
Note: The figure for 95/05 is based on only 10 releases and is bound to increase as prisoners are progressively released. (3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
(3) The number of distinct individuals imprisoned for murder/wilful murder is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 19 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 87 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 132 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 138 (4) The number of the people referred to in question (3) who have been released from prison is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 18 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 78 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 83 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 12 (5) The number of people referred to in Question (3), who were released from prison and have further offences recorded on the prison system is: 1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
1/7/1965 - 30/6/1975: 3 - Data is not reliable: 1/7/1975 - 30/6/1985: 24 - Data is not reliable 1/7/1985 - 30/6/1995: 24 1/7/1995 - 30/6/2005: 2 Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
Note: All offence records recorded on the prison system (including Breach/Suspension of Early Release Orders) are included. List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached
List of offences relevant to question 5 is attached

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