Criminology Research Council grant ; (21/73)
A report on this project under the title 'A National Prison Survey with Particular Reference to Birthplace' was received by the Council and a copy was forwarded to the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs for comment. This report contained the results of a questionnaire to be completed by prisoners which was sent to all prisons in Australia on 30 June 1974. A response rate of 66 per cent was obtained and the results indicated that for nearly all overseas-born groups they were under- represented in the prison populations. The report also found that there were no significant differences in the proportion of native-born and overseas-born prisoners who had had legal representation, but for those born overseas bail had been fixed less frequently and the accused person had less frequently pleaded guilty. This report has been widely circulated and has been cited as a standard reference.