Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

May 4, 2020

France: Nicole Belloubet, "le taux d’occupation moyen des prisons est inférieur à 100 %"

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Overcrowding France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

April 30, 2020

Argentina: Alejandro Slokar, “las cárceles son hoy una bomba con la mecha encendida”

News

Coronavirus South America Health Overcrowding Argentina

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

April 28, 2020

El Salvador: where social distancing is impossible

News

Coronavirus Central America and the Caribbean Health Overcrowding El Salvador

Latin America has some of the most overcrowded jails in the world. With prisoners crammed into tiny cells by the dozen, social distancing is impossible and poor medical facilities mean any outbreak of coronavirus would spread like wildfire. The United Nations has urged governments to do more to pro…

April 24, 2020

Cambodia: exclusive footage reveals deplorable prison conditions

News

Coronavirus Asia Health Overcrowding Cambodia

Amnesty International is releasing shocking footage providing first-hand evidence of the inhumane conditions and extreme overcrowding inside one of Cambodia’s prisons. The organization recently called the country’s detention facilities a “ticking time bomb” for a potentially disastrous coronavirus…

April 24, 2020

Greece: reforming prison system and ending police ill-treatment are urgent priorities, says CPT

News

Europe Material conditions Overcrowding Violence Greece

After a visit to prisons in Greece last year, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recommends that the Greek authorities remedy structural problems that have led to enduring ill-treatment of detainees, prison overcrow…

April 23, 2020

France: la crise sanitaire prouve que réduire la surpopulation carcérale est possible

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Overcrowding France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

April 22, 2020

Spain: ‘terrified’ prisoners in Mallorca demand to be set free after ‘degrading’ response to Covid-19 that ‘violates their human rights’

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Overcrowding Spain

PRISONERS locked up in Palma de Mallorca’s Penitentiary Centre have demanded to be set free due to the alleged inhuman treatment suffered during the coronavirus crisis. Lawyers representing convicts at the island’s largest prison have made an official request to government officials asking that the…

April 14, 2020

South America: cut prison crowding to fight Covid-19

News

Coronavirus South America Health Overcrowding

(New York) – The unsanitary, overcrowded prisons and juvenile detention centers in most Latin American and Caribbean countries offer prime conditions for outbreaks of COVID-19 that could severely affect the health of detainees and of the population at large, Human Rights Watch said today. In March…

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April 10, 2020

Burundi: "Some people are sleeping outside in the rain"

Testimonial

Africa Health Material conditions Overcrowding Burundi

D. is incarcerated in the Mpimba prison. He is one of over 4000 inmates in a dilapidated establishment that was designed to hold up to 800. He describes his day to day life.

April 10, 2020

Greece: Covid-19, in prisons isolation is not enough

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Material conditions Overcrowding Greece

COVID-19 has forced millions of people around the globe into self-isolation and quarantine; however, millions were already living in isolation. People detained in Greek prisons are among those who must now face the pandemic with limited or no access to protective means, while living conditions in p…

March 30, 2020

Malta: PN suggests temporary prisons to ease overcrowding and virus risk at Corradino

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Overcrowding Malta

The government should consider setting up temporary prisons to ease overcrowding at Corradino prison and the related risk of the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus, the shadow minister for home affairs said on Thursday. Beppe Fenech Adami said the prison authorities should segregate elderly prisoners a…

March 26, 2020

Sweden: cárceles saturadas

News

Europe Foreign prisoners Overcrowding Sweden

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

March 12, 2020

France: reintegration is everyone’s business

Analysis Interview

Europe Justice Overcrowding Alternatives Rehabilitation France

With more and more prisoners and a substantial recidivism rate, prison does not succeed in protecting society. Although reintegration is one of the missions of the prison administration, it is not considered to be of vital importance. Why?

March 9, 2020

Australia: WA's overcrowded prison system is a 'ticking time bomb'

News

Oceania Overcrowding Australia

A former inmate describes conditions inside the prison system as a “ticking time bomb”, with staff and prisoners under increasing stress

February 25, 2020

France: la justice ordonne des travaux d’urgence à Nouméa, où la "situation est alarmante"

News

Europe Justice Health Overcrowding France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

February 25, 2020

France: prison pour mineurs de Meyzieu: un établissement "en surchauffe"?

News

Europe Minors Overcrowding France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

February 25, 2020

Uganda newest and 'coolest' prison ready for inmates

News

Africa Facilities Overcrowding Uganda

The Shs 25 billion facility sits on 5-acres of land and is situated about 55 kilometers northwest of Kampala, in Wakiso district. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility was funded by the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) with Ambitious Construction Limited as the contractor. It was built…

February 12, 2020

Changing the prison system: the role of information

Interview

Africa Minors Health Overcrowding

It can be difficult to collect data on prisons. Few people have direct access to it. Carole Berrih explains the necessity of access to quality information.

February 12, 2020

Syria: dans une prison avec les jihadistes

News

Middle East Foreign prisoners Health Overcrowding

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

February 6, 2020

USA: Mississippi State Penitentiary must find prison cells for 625 violent offenders

News

North America Overcrowding Violence United States

After corrections facility proved to be ‘understaffed,’ ‘unsafe,’ and ‘unsanitary,’ officials scurry to find placement for convicts who constitutionally can no longer live such conditions.

February 5, 2020

India: prison system needs urgent reform

News

Women Asia Foreign prisoners Health Overcrowding India

The 2018 statistics on prison must spur the criminal justice system to assess, evaluate and take affirmative steps.

February 5, 2020

Nepal: Udayapur prison bursting at the seams

News

Asia Overcrowding Nepal

Inmates at Udayapur District Prison are facing a hard time as it houses four times more number of inmates than its capacity.

January 30, 2020

France: surpopulation, matelas au sol et crasse : la France condamnée par la justice européenne pour ses prisons

News

Europe Justice Overcrowding France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

January 28, 2020

France: prison d’Évreux : l’Etat attaqué pour conditions de détention «indignes»

News

Europe Material conditions Overcrowding France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French