The average number of people in prison in Northern Ireland has increased by 12.8%, it has emerged.
The overall average daily prison population increased during 2022/23 to 1,685.
The number of men increased from 1,428 to 1,607 while the number of women rose from 66 to 78.
Figures released by the department of justice showed the remand population – those waiting to be sentenced – increased by 11.2% to 607 during 2022/23 from 546 the previous year. This was described as the highest level it has been over the last eight years.
‘The Northern Ireland Prison Population 2022/23’ published todayhttps://t.co/T8SCULVuvO
This report presents key data relating to average daily prison population, receptions & discharges for NI. During 2022/23, overall average daily prison population increased by 12.8% to 1,685 pic.twitter.com/wvQYSvl90y
— NISRA (@NISRA) October 26, 2023
During the same year, the average daily immediate custody population increased by 13.5% to 1,068 – the highest the immediate custody population has been since 2016/17.
Those aged between 30 and 39 years made up the largest proportion (36.2%) of the average daily immediate custody prison population and the remand population (34.9%).
Some 28% of the average daily population during 2022/23 had custodial sentences of less than or equal to one year – an increase from 27.3% during 2021/22.
Meanwhile those identifying as Catholic represented the largest proportion of the average daily prison population at 51.2% (863), while Protestant denominations and other Christians accounted for 33.8% (569).