Number of prisoners increased in 2022
In 2022, there were 483 593 prisoners in the EU, equivalent to 108 prisoners per 100 000 people. The prisoner rate increased after the 106 prisoners per 100 000 people recorded in 2021.
Source dataset: crim_pris_cap
The highest prisoner rates per 100 000 people in 2022 were in Hungary (200), Poland (190) and Czechia and Slovakia (both 181). The lowest rates were in Finland (52), the Netherlands (64) and Slovenia (65).
11 EU countries experienced overcrowded cells in 2022
In 2022, 11 EU countries experienced overcrowded prison cells. The prison occupancy rate is the number of prisoners relative to the official capacity (design capacity) of prisons, multiplied by 100. Overcrowding occurs when the occupancy rate exceeds 100, indicating that there are more prisoners in the prison than it was designed to hold.
Source dataset: crim_pris_cap
The highest overcrowding was observed in Cyprus with an occupancy rate of 226, France (119) and Belgium (118). The lowest prison occupancy rates were recorded in Malta (59), Estonia (62) and Latvia (67).
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on prison statistics
- Statistics Explained article on prison occupancy
- Statistics Explained article on police, court and prison personnel
- Thematic section on crime and criminal justice
- Database on crime and criminal justice
Methodological notes
Prison occupancy rate: the number of prisoners relative to the official capacity (design capacity) of prisons, multiplied by 100.
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