Number of NSW adults on remand for domestic violence hits record high

A record number of adults are being held in New South Wales prisons waiting to face court over domestic violence offences.

The number of people on remand for a domestic violence offence in NSW rose by 24 per cent from December 2023 to June this year, according to data released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

There are now more than 1800 adults on remand for domestic violence offences in the state.

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The spike was driven by an increase in people being held in custody over allegations of domestic violence assault, intimidation or stalking and breaching apprehended violence orders.

NSW BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said domestic violence was the main driver behind an overall increase in the number of people on remand, which is also at a record high.

"This is primarily due to an increase in the rate at which domestic violence defendants are being refused bail," Fitzgerald said.

In the 3 months to June 2024, domestic violence defendants were refused bail at a rate of 22 per cent, up 5 per cent on the previous quarter.

This equates to an extra 370 adults who were refused bail for a DV offence.

People waiting for their court date on remand make up an ever-increasing proportion of the NSW prison population. 

In June 2024, remandees represented 45 per cent of adults in custody - the highest proportion on record. 

The overall prison population has increased by 5 per cent in the last year to June, but this is still lower than it was before the pandemic.

There were just over 14,000 adults in prison in June, an increase of 638 inmates.