European Union (EU) officials have made a worrying prediction that, under the influence of political changes, the number of prisons in its member states could increase dramatically, by up to 2023 percent between 2027 and 200. This could further exacerbate the problem of overcrowded prison cells already reported in 13 member states.
Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic Have the Highest Prison Rates
When looking at prison occupancy rates across the EU, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have the highest rates of prisoners per 100.000 people. High conviction rates in these countries are increasing pressure on prison systems and raising concerns about prisoners’ rights.
Prisoner Numbers on the Rise in EU
According to the latest Eurostat data, the total number of prisoners in EU member states in 2023 is recorded at around 499.000. This figure represents a 3,2% increase compared to the previous year. İdil Aydınoğlu, regional programme manager at Penal Reform International, points out that the prison population in Europe has increased significantly, especially since the end of post-COVID-19 measures. Aydınoğlu states that this increase may be due to various factors, such as inadequate or inconsistent policies and legal practices. The highest number of prisoners in EU countries was recorded in 2012, when 553.000 were recorded.
High Foreign Prisoner Rate
Around one in five (20 percent) of prisoners in reporting EU countries were found to be foreign nationals in 2023. This increases the burden on member states’ penal systems and creates additional challenges for foreign prisoners, such as their social integration and access to legal processes.
Major Differences Between Countries Are Noticeable
Comparing EU countries, the highest rates of incarceration per 2023 people in 100.000 were recorded in Poland (203), Hungary (187) and the Czech Republic (181). In contrast, the lowest rates were seen in Finland (53), the Netherlands (66) and Slovenia (68). These large differences reflect the diversity of penal policies and socio-economic conditions across member states.
Overcrowding Most Common in Cyprus, France and Italy
When prison occupancy rates are examined, it is stated that the highest overcrowding is observed in Cyprus with 226,2 percent, France with 122,9 percent and Italy with 119,1 percent. These rates show that prisons in these countries hold inmates far beyond their capacity and that there are serious problems in providing humane conditions. In contrast, the lowest prison occupancy rates were recorded in Estonia (56,2 percent), Luxembourg (60,8 percent) and Bulgaria (67,7 percent).
The potential 200% increase envisaged by EU authorities could further complicate existing problems and put significant pressure on member states’ penal systems. This could have serious consequences, including violations of prisoners’ rights, restrictions on rehabilitation opportunities and weaknesses in prison security. The potential impact of political changes on penal policies should be closely monitored and effective strategies for solving overcrowding should be developed.
