WHY ARE PRISON RATES IN ENGLAND AND WALES HIGHER THAN IN AUSTRALIA?

In 1986 the number of people in prisons per 100,000 of the population was much higher in England and Wales than Australia (93 compared to 70). This difference was not due to differences in crime rates nor the success of the police in apprehending offenders, but to the greater number of people (per capita) in England and Wales received into prison, both on remand and under sentence. Furthermore, in England and Wales, young adults were much more likely to be detained in custody--particularly those sentenced for non-sexual assault, burglary, and property damage.