In Australia, young people are placed in detention only as a last resort. In 2010–11, only 14% of those under supervision on an average day were in detention, with the remainder under community-based supervision. However, around 40% were in detention at some point during the year. (Western Australia and the Northern Territory did not participate in the Juvenile Justice National Minimum Data Set during 2010–11. Where possible, estimates for these jurisdictions are included in national totals.)
Half of all young people in detention on an average day were unsentenced—that is, in detention while awaiting the outcome of their court matter or sentencing. But most (87%) had been in unsentenced detention at some time during the year.
On average, periods of unsentenced detention lasted for 3 days—substantially shorter than periods of sentenced detention (almost 2 months).
Some young people completed more than one period of detention during the year. When all time spent in detention during the year is considered, young people spent around 2 months in detention, on average, during 2010–11.