The aim of imprisonment is to prevent crime and enhance community safety by removing offenders from the public sphere and deterring potential offenders, as well as meeting society’s need for reparation and retribution for crimes committed. However, while a period of imprisonment may deter some people from re-offending, it can also foster in others further criminal behaviour. Since 1989, the imprisonment rate has increased by around two-thirds; currently almost 40 per cent of Australian prisoners released after serving their sentence return to jail within two years. This book examines crime and incarceration in Australia – does it work as deterrent or rehabilitation – or is it simply ineffective retribution? A range of opinions are presented, which canvas a number of justice issues including harsher sentencing and longer jail terms, overcrowding in prisons, tough-on-crime policies, public perceptions of crime and safety, indigenous over-representation, intervention programs and prison reforms. Does being tough on crime pay? Chapter 1: Crime and imprisonment rates Chapter 2: Crime and punishment debate Worksheets and activities; Glossary; Fast facts; Web links; Index Fast Facts $9 to $10 billion between 2007 and 2008. While arrests for cannabis and heroin continue to decline, arrests for amphetamines have more than quadrupled, increasing by 310% from 1996 to 2008. Prison numbers continue to rise, by 1.4% in 2008, with 27,615 people in prison. In 2008, the rate for male juveniles in detention reached 66 per 100,000, a 43% rise since 2004. Fraud on credit and charge cards increased by 44% from 2006 to 2008. Although a decrease was recorded between 2007 and 2008, there has been a 49% increase in assaults between 1996 and 2008.