1. The number of people in prison worldwide has reached an all-time high
More than 11.5 million people are estimated to be in prison globally – the highest ever, and a 24% increase since 2000 (a rate slightly less than the estimated growth in the world’s general population). Prison overcrowding remains at critical levels in some countries, with prisons operating above official capacity in 121 countries.
2. COVID-19 measures have failed to reduce the global prison population
Release measures to decongest prisons, seen particularly in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, have largely been abandoned. Much of the fluctuation in national prison populations over the course of the pandemic has been due to reduced court operations resulting in fewer admissions to prisons. As court backlogs are cleared, prison numbers have risen again, beyond pre-pandemic levels in some places.
3. The global prison capacity keeps expanding with alarming investment – and bigger, more remote prisons
Rising prison populations and overcrowding has triggered investment in new or expanded facilities. In 2021, at least 24 countries announced plans for, or started construction of, new prison facilities – in total, creating about 437,000 more spaces worldwide. Turkey accounts for more than half of this number and Sri Lanka one fifth, with both countries moving towards massive prison complexes. Where information on the size and location of new prisons is available, there is a general trend towards increased scale as well as geographical remoteness.
4. Rates of pre-trial detention have not changed, indicating little progress in achieving SDG 16
Around 1 in 3 people in prison globally is held in pre-trial detention, without having been convicted or sentenced. The global share of people in pre-trial detention has remained stable since 2000, ranging between 29% and 31% of the global prison population, demonstrating little progress in achieving target 16.3 of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to ensure equal access to justice for all – under which one indicator is the proportion of pre-trial detainees in prisons.
5. The growth of non-custodial sanctions is incredibly slow, despite promising use and expansion during the pandemic
Although non-custodial alternatives to imprisonment are widely available, in practice they remain enormously underutilised. Analysis also shows that community sanctions and measures are not always used as an alternative to imprisonment, but as a supplement, and that violations of conditions contribute to growing prison populations.
6. Around 1 in 5 people in prison are held for drug offences under punitive drug policies that drive prison overcrowding
Punitive drug laws that impose disproportionate criminal sanctions have led to an estimated 2.2 million people worldwide in prison for drug offences. Although 50 jurisdictions in more than 30 countries have removed criminal sanctions for drug possession for personal use, almost half a million people globally are detained for such offences.
7. Women and children make up growing shares of prison populations
The number of women in prison has increased 33% over the past 20 years, compared to a 25% rise among men. Around 261,200 children worldwide are estimated to have been in detention on any given day in 2020 – up from previous estimates of 160,000–250,000 children in 2018.
8. Systemic racism persists in criminal justice systems, despite increased UN action
People from minority and indigenous communities continue to make up a disproportionate share of prison populations, and experience discrimination across all parts of prison regimes. Action has stepped up at the UN in the past year on racial justice and equality in criminal justice systems.
9. Prisons have been accorded low priority in COVID-19 vaccination plans
Out of the 131 countries for which vaccination plans or other resources could be found, only 56 (43%) explicitly mention people in prison, showing that people in prison were not recognised as an at-risk or priority group.
10. The mental health crisis in prisons is being ignored
Mental health conditions remain disproportionately high among prison populations, and data suggests they are rising. New evidence points to the significant impact of COVID-19 restrictions in prisons on mental health, exacerbating the crisis. Yet, a lack of investment and attention means there is a dire lack of qualified mental health staff or services in a large proportion of prisons globally.
11. Limited access to water and sanitation affects millions of people in prison daily
There is acute water scarcity affecting prisons in many low-income countries, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Water shortages, unsafe and contaminated water and insufficient sanitation facilities, exacerbated or caused by prison overcrowding, contribute to catastrophic prison conditions.
12. More countries moved to abolish the death penalty despite some notable regressions
109 countries worldwide have formally abolished the death penalty and, according to the UN, 170 have either abolished or do not practice it. However, a number of retentionist countries resumed executions or used capital punishment with renewed vigour in 2021, after a slowdown in 2020. At least 131 people were executed for drug offences in 2021, a 336% increase compared to 2020.
13. Use of life sentences is on the rise, with increased punitiveness
In many countries, there is an upward trend in the number of life sentences imposed, their length, conditions and the types of offences that can attract a life sentence. The most recent data (2019) estimates almost half a million people are serving a formal life sentence, while the number serving a ‘de facto’ life sentence remains unknown.
14. Torture and high levels of violence plague many prison systems
Prisons remain violent places, with regular reports of torture and excessive use of force against people in prison in all regions of the world. Certain people including women, children, LGBTQ+ persons and people newly arrived in prison face increased risk of violence from detainees and staff.
15. Prisons are left behind in disaster-risk responses in the face of changing climate conditions, extreme temperatures and hazards
Prisons are rarely accounted for in hazard-risk management, mitigation plans or disaster responses. As extreme weather conditions and natural hazards increase, people in prison and staff are impacted – in some cases fatally. Common knock-on effects include a lack of critical infrastructure such as water, prison unrest, escapes and being cut off from the outside world.
16. People in prison in fragile and conflict-affected states face inhumane conditions of detention
Prisons in fragile and conflict-affected settings continue to lack basic material needs and have high rates of torture and ill-treatment. Prisons have also become targets in conflicts over the past year.
17. Staff shortages continue and have worsened in some prisons, not least due to COVID-19
The pandemic has brought additional challenges to ensuring adequate levels of prison staffing due to infection and isolation rules in a number of countries, as well as the impact of vaccine mandates. This impacts safety, healthcare, rehabilitation programmes and daily regimes in prisons.
18. Improving digital literacy of people in prison is emerging as a key priority
Many prisons across all regions are seeking to increase access to the Internet and equip people in prison with digital literacy skills, recognising the central role of digital technology in navigating life outside prison.
