Prison Overcrowding in Europe: Incarceration Rates Increase by 1.5%

Turkey leads in prison overcrowding with 356 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants. Georgia ranks third with 261 inmates per 100,000. Azerbaijan holds the second position among Council of Europe member states in the number of prisoners per capita, according to the 'SPACE I - 2024' annual report published by the Council of Europe. The report indicates that Azerbaijan has 264 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the second highest rate among these member states.

Azerbaijan is also among the countries facing prison overcrowding issues. Currently, an average of 103 prisoners occupy every 100 spaces in Azerbaijan's correctional facilities.

The 2023-2024 report further notes that there has been an increase in prison density throughout Europe during this period. The average number of inmates per 100 spaces has risen by 1.5%, reaching 94.9, compared to 93.5 the previous year. Today, there are over one million prisoners in the prisons of the 51 member states of the Council of Europe.