Ukraine is, since the end of 2013, in a conflict between pro-government and pro-Russian forces. The regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are no longer under the control of the government. They belong to Ukrainian territory under international law but are de facto under Russian or pro-Russian forces control. This report does not include data for these regions.

Cases of torture, ill-treatment and the arbitrary and secret detention of prisoners related to the conflict are identified. The secret services (SBU) are notably involved.

The country did not contribute to the annual Council of Europe criminal statistics (SPACE I and II reports) in 2015.

The prison population has been rapidly decreasing over the past five years. In 2012, 147,112 prisoners were registered versus 60,771 on the 1st of September 2016.

Reforms have been under way since 2012 in the penal and penitentiary system. At the end of 2016, the State Prison Service was transferred to the Ministry of Justice. However, reforms are slow to be implemented and are sometimes controversial.