❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding average sentence lengths and time served for various crimes from 2000-2007. Partial answer provided for murder, attempted murder, and manslaughter, with data limitations noted.
AnsweredQoN 5461Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What is the average (not mean minimum and maximum) sentence length and the average (not mean minimum or maximum) actual time served by offenders in Western Australian jails, from 2000 to 2007 for the crimes of -
(a) murder;
(b) attempted murder;
(c) manslaughter;
(d) aggravated robbery (firearm);
(e) aggravated robbery (other);
(f) aggravated sexual assault; and
(g) aggravated assault?
(a) murder;
(b) attempted murder;
(c) manslaughter;
(d) aggravated robbery (firearm);
(e) aggravated robbery (other);
(f) aggravated sexual assault; and
(g) aggravated assault?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 October 2007
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
37 days
The figures represented in this table are for singular offences and may not reflect the overall sentence given to an individual who commits multiple offences.
The introduction of truth in sentencing in 2003 has seen the abolition of the 1/3 remission component of a sentence. This can be reflected in a reduction in the head or overall sentence length. There has however been an increasing trend in the minimum time to be served set by the courts and in the time actually served in prison
Please note that Tables 1 and 2 refer to completely different prisoner populations and as such are not comparable.
Table 1: Average Head Sentences Imposed for Selected Offences
(2000-2007 Calendar Years)
Offence
2000
20001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
(1a) Murder
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
(1b) Attempted Murder
8.2
12.3
8.6
12.0
3.9
5.4
4.6
4.0
(1c) Manslaughter
5.5
6.2
6.4
5.4
3.8
4.8
4.8
4.7
Source : Department of the Attorney General
Table 2: Average Actual Time Served by Offenders Upon Release for Selected Offences
Upper Court Sentences (excl Fine Default, Deaths, Releases to Mental Health etc)
Most Serious Offence
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Financial Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
(1a) Murder
97.13
96.69
102.63
109.11
139.45
91.96
146.99
126.40
(1b) Attempted Murder
24.03
56.99
97.26
26.04
96.07
56.50
110.48
48.02
(1c) Manslaughter
34.50
24.29
31.92
35.33
33.20
33.52
33.72
29.02
Source : Department of Corrective Services
It is not clear which offences under the Criminal Code the member is referring to in 1(d), 1(e), 1(f) and 1(g).
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
The introduction of truth in sentencing in 2003 has seen the abolition of the 1/3 remission component of a sentence. This can be reflected in a reduction in the head or overall sentence length. There has however been an increasing trend in the minimum time to be served set by the courts and in the time actually served in prison
Please note that Tables 1 and 2 refer to completely different prisoner populations and as such are not comparable.
Table 1: Average Head Sentences Imposed for Selected Offences
(2000-2007 Calendar Years)
Offence
2000
20001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
(1a) Murder
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
(1b) Attempted Murder
8.2
12.3
8.6
12.0
3.9
5.4
4.6
4.0
(1c) Manslaughter
5.5
6.2
6.4
5.4
3.8
4.8
4.8
4.7
Source : Department of the Attorney General
Table 2: Average Actual Time Served by Offenders Upon Release for Selected Offences
Upper Court Sentences (excl Fine Default, Deaths, Releases to Mental Health etc)
Most Serious Offence
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Average Months Served
Financial Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
(1a) Murder
97.13
96.69
102.63
109.11
139.45
91.96
146.99
126.40
(1b) Attempted Murder
24.03
56.99
97.26
26.04
96.07
56.50
110.48
48.02
(1c) Manslaughter
34.50
24.29
31.92
35.33
33.20
33.52
33.72
29.02
Source : Department of Corrective Services
It is not clear which offences under the Criminal Code the member is referring to in 1(d), 1(e), 1(f) and 1(g).
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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