GITNUXREPORT 2026

Prison Overcrowding Statistics

Prisons across many nations are severely overcrowded, causing widespread health and safety crises.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

US state prisons have 20,000 fewer beds than inmates since 2019.

Statistic 2

Federal prisons short 21,000 beds in 2023, leading to early releases.

Statistic 3

California's facilities designed for 75,000 but hold 95,000+, shortfall of 20,000.

Statistic 4

Texas prisons underbuilt by 5,000 beds despite 103% occupancy.

Statistic 5

New York closed 20 facilities, creating 10,000 bed shortfall by 2023.

Statistic 6

UK lacks 13,000 prison places in 2024 projections.

Statistic 7

Brazil needs 300,000 more spaces for current 850,000 inmates.

Statistic 8

France short 12,000 prison beds in 2023.

Statistic 9

Italy's prisons under capacity by 10,000 places officially, but effective shortfall higher.

Statistic 10

Philippine prisons short 50,000 beds for 220,000 inmates.

Statistic 11

UK's prison estate needs £5B investment for capacity.

Statistic 12

Australia short 4,000 federal beds in 2023.

Statistic 13

Mexico prisons at 120% , short 60,000 spaces.

Statistic 14

India jails short 200,000 beds for 500,000 inmates.

Statistic 15

Kenya facilities short 30,000 for 60,000 prisoners.

Statistic 16

Egypt overcrowded by 50,000 in 80,000 capacity.

Statistic 17

Iran short 100,000 spaces officially.

Statistic 18

Vietnam prisons at 130%, short 40,000.

Statistic 19

Bangladesh 300% overcrowding in Dhaka jail.

Statistic 20

US local jails short 50,000 beds nationally.

Statistic 21

UK's new prison build delayed, short 3,000 now.

Statistic 22

Colombia short 20,000 for 120,000 inmates.

Statistic 23

Peru 120% occupancy, short 15,000.

Statistic 24

Argentina prisons short 25,000 spaces.

Statistic 25

Bolivia 250% in La Paz jail.

Statistic 26

Morocco short 30,000 beds.

Statistic 27

Algeria facilities at 150%, short 40,000.

Statistic 28

Tunisia post-revolution short 10,000.

Statistic 29

Overcrowding in US prisons linked to 25% higher TB infection rates among inmates.

Statistic 30

In overcrowded California prisons, violence incidents rose 15% in 2022.

Statistic 31

UK prisons saw 20% increase in self-harm due to overcrowding in 2023.

Statistic 32

Brazilian prisons with 170% occupancy had 30% higher homicide rates inside.

Statistic 33

French prisons reported 40% rise in mental health issues from crowding.

Statistic 34

Overcrowded US jails increase suicide rates by 18%, per 2022 study.

Statistic 35

Italy's crowded facilities saw COVID outbreaks 3x higher than average.

Statistic 36

South African prisons overcrowding correlates with 22% HIV transmission spike.

Statistic 37

Staff turnover in overcrowded US prisons hit 20% annually in 2023.

Statistic 38

Overcrowded European prisons 2x assault rates.

Statistic 39

US inmate mortality up 10% in crowded facilities 2022.

Statistic 40

Brazilian prison riots killed 100+ yearly due to crowding.

Statistic 41

Italian prisons mental health referrals up 25%.

Statistic 42

South Africa TB cases 5x national average in prisons.

Statistic 43

Overcrowding causes 30% staff assaults in US.

Statistic 44

Global: Crowding linked to 15% higher recidivism.

Statistic 45

France prison suicides 20 per 10,000 inmates.

Statistic 46

Nigeria overcrowding leads to 40% untreated diseases.

Statistic 47

Australian Indigenous inmates face 2x health risks from crowding.

Statistic 48

US overcrowding costs $10B extra yearly.

Statistic 49

Europe: Crowded prisons 18% higher drug overdoses.

Statistic 50

India overcrowding doubles malnutrition rates.

Statistic 51

Turkey post-coup crowding up assaults 40%.

Statistic 52

Indonesia riots frequent, 50 deaths 2022.

Statistic 53

Mexico cartel control in 60% overcrowded prisons.

Statistic 54

Russia TB epidemic in prisons, 20% infected.

Statistic 55

In the United States, federal prisons operated at 112% of capacity in 2022, housing 153,000 inmates in facilities designed for 137,000.

Statistic 56

California's state prisons reached 137.5% occupancy in 2021, with 113,479 inmates exceeding design capacity by over 24,000.

Statistic 57

Texas prisons hit 103% capacity in 2023, holding 132,000 prisoners in spaces for 128,000.

Statistic 58

Florida's correctional facilities averaged 112% occupancy in 2022, with 80,000 inmates in 71,000 slots.

Statistic 59

New York state prisons were at 87% capacity in 2023 but local jails reached 105%.

Statistic 60

In the UK, England and Wales prisons averaged 99% occupancy in 2023, with some facilities like Winchester at 172%.

Statistic 61

Brazil's prison system operated at 168% capacity in 2022, with 853,000 inmates in 500,000 spaces.

Statistic 62

France's prisons were overcrowded at 119% in 2023, housing 76,000 in 64,000 places.

Statistic 63

Italy reported 121% prison occupancy in 2022, with 59,000 inmates over capacity by 11,000.

Statistic 64

Russia's penal colonies averaged 95% capacity in 2021, but pretrial facilities hit 120%.

Statistic 65

Global prison population grew 20% from 2000-2022 to 11 million.

Statistic 66

In 2021, US prisons at 103% capacity overall.

Statistic 67

Louisiana state prisons averaged 130% occupancy in 2022.

Statistic 68

Oklahoma facilities hit 118% capacity in 2023.

Statistic 69

Arizona prisons at 108% in 2022.

Statistic 70

Georgia averaged 107% occupancy in state prisons 2023.

Statistic 71

Michigan prisons at 104% capacity end of 2022.

Statistic 72

Ohio facilities reached 115% in some units 2023.

Statistic 73

Pennsylvania state prisons 105% occupancy 2022.

Statistic 74

In 2020, global prisons saw 25% occupancy increase post-COVID.

Statistic 75

Alabama prisons averaged 165% capacity in 2022.

Statistic 76

Mississippi at 140% in some facilities 2023.

Statistic 77

Arkansas 110% statewide average 2022.

Statistic 78

Kentucky facilities 115% occupancy.

Statistic 79

West Virginia prisons 108% capacity 2023.

Statistic 80

US implemented 50 new diversion programs reducing prison intake by 10% in 2023.

Statistic 81

California Prop 47 reduced prison population by 30,000 since 2014.

Statistic 82

UK's early release scheme freed 5,000 inmates in 2024 to ease crowding.

Statistic 83

Brazil's electronic monitoring expanded to 100,000 reducing prison needs.

Statistic 84

France built 15,000 new prison beds planned by 2027.

Statistic 85

Italy's amnesty laws released 10,000 prisoners in 2022.

Statistic 86

US federal First Step Act shortened sentences for 20,000 inmates by 2023.

Statistic 87

Texas invested $1B in new facilities for 10,000 beds.

Statistic 88

Norway's rehab reforms cut prison use by 20% since 2010.

Statistic 89

Germany's short sentences policy keeps occupancy at 80%.

Statistic 90

Portugal decriminalized drugs, prison pop down 40% since 2001.

Statistic 91

New Zealand built 1,000 new beds, cut waitlists 50%.

Statistic 92

Canada parole expansions freed 10,000 spaces.

Statistic 93

Sweden community sanctions rose 25%, easing prisons.

Statistic 94

Netherlands closed 23 prisons since 2013 due to low pop.

Statistic 95

Scotland presumption against short sentences cut pop 10%.

Statistic 96

US 24 states passed sentencing reforms by 2023.

Statistic 97

Global reforms: 50 countries adopted alternatives to incarceration.

Statistic 98

Finland halved prison pop since 1970s via reforms.

Statistic 99

Denmark open prisons model keeps low density.

Statistic 100

Iceland low 40 per 100k via rehab focus.

Statistic 101

Estonia cut pop 50% since 2000.

Statistic 102

Czechia community service up 300%.

Statistic 103

Austria suspended short sentences, pop stable.

Statistic 104

Spain probation expansion freed 15,000 spaces.

Statistic 105

Ireland new super-prison adds 800 beds.

Statistic 106

In 2023, US prisons held 1.2 million state inmates, up 2% from 2022 despite capacity constraints.

Statistic 107

Federal Bureau of Prisons population reached 158,000 in 2022, highest since 2013.

Statistic 108

Local US jails incarcerated 631,000 people daily in 2022, a 15% rise post-COVID.

Statistic 109

California's prison population was 94,000 in 2023, down from 160,000 in 2011 but still overcrowded.

Statistic 110

Texas had 134,000 prisoners in state facilities in 2023, with 40% non-violent offenders.

Statistic 111

UK prison population hit 88,000 in England and Wales in 2023, a record high.

Statistic 112

Brazil's inmate count surpassed 850,000 in 2022, growing 5% annually.

Statistic 113

France imprisoned 72,000 in 2023, with foreign nationals at 24% of total.

Statistic 114

Italy's prison population grew to 61,000 in 2023 despite amnesty efforts.

Statistic 115

South Africa's prisons held 158,000 inmates in 2022, up 3% from prior year.

Statistic 116

World prison rate highest in US at 531 per 100k in 2023.

Statistic 117

UK prison population 160 per 100k population in 2023.

Statistic 118

Russia holds 330 per 100k, total 433,000 inmates 2022.

Statistic 119

Philippines 450 per 100k, 167,000 total prisoners.

Statistic 120

El Salvador 1,050 per 100k after crackdown, 2023.

Statistic 121

Rwanda post-genocide 1,200 per 100k peak, now 500.

Statistic 122

Thailand 450 per 100k, 370,000 inmates 2023.

Statistic 123

Indonesia 100 per 100k but 250,000 total.

Statistic 124

Nigeria 33 per 100k, 80,000 in prisons.

Statistic 125

Turkey 100 per 100k post-coup, 300,000+ inmates.

Statistic 126

World total prisoners 11.5 million in 2023.

Statistic 127

China unofficial 2 million+ inmates, high density.

Statistic 128

Iran 250,000 prisoners, many political.

Statistic 129

Pakistan 80,000 in 100 facilities.

Statistic 130

Haiti 11,000 in 400 capacity jails.

Statistic 131

Venezuela 35,000 inmates post-crackdown.

Statistic 132

Cuba 90,000 political and common prisoners.

Statistic 133

North Korea est. 120,000 in camps.

Statistic 134

Saudi Arabia 50,000, rapid growth.

Statistic 135

Global female prisoners 741,000 in 2023.

1/135

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Imagine being crammed into a space meant for one person with two others, a reality not from some distant crisis but from the daily statistics of our modern prison systems, where from California to Brazil and beyond, cells are packed so far beyond their limits that inmates are sleeping in corridors and violence and disease are skyrocketing.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, federal prisons operated at 112% of capacity in 2022, housing 153,000 inmates in facilities designed for 137,000.
California's state prisons reached 137.5% occupancy in 2021, with 113,479 inmates exceeding design capacity by over 24,000.
Texas prisons hit 103% capacity in 2023, holding 132,000 prisoners in spaces for 128,000.
In 2023, US prisons held 1.2 million state inmates, up 2% from 2022 despite capacity constraints.
Federal Bureau of Prisons population reached 158,000 in 2022, highest since 2013.
Local US jails incarcerated 631,000 people daily in 2022, a 15% rise post-COVID.
US state prisons have 20,000 fewer beds than inmates since 2019.
Federal prisons short 21,000 beds in 2023, leading to early releases.
California's facilities designed for 75,000 but hold 95,000+, shortfall of 20,000.
Overcrowding in US prisons linked to 25% higher TB infection rates among inmates.
In overcrowded California prisons, violence incidents rose 15% in 2022.
UK prisons saw 20% increase in self-harm due to overcrowding in 2023.
US implemented 50 new diversion programs reducing prison intake by 10% in 2023.
California Prop 47 reduced prison population by 30,000 since 2014.
UK's early release scheme freed 5,000 inmates in 2024 to ease crowding.

Prisons across many nations are severely overcrowded, causing widespread health and safety crises.

Capacity Shortfalls

US state prisons have 20,000 fewer beds than inmates since 2019.
Federal prisons short 21,000 beds in 2023, leading to early releases.
California's facilities designed for 75,000 but hold 95,000+, shortfall of 20,000.
Texas prisons underbuilt by 5,000 beds despite 103% occupancy.
New York closed 20 facilities, creating 10,000 bed shortfall by 2023.
UK lacks 13,000 prison places in 2024 projections.
Brazil needs 300,000 more spaces for current 850,000 inmates.
France short 12,000 prison beds in 2023.
Italy's prisons under capacity by 10,000 places officially, but effective shortfall higher.
Philippine prisons short 50,000 beds for 220,000 inmates.
UK's prison estate needs £5B investment for capacity.
Australia short 4,000 federal beds in 2023.
Mexico prisons at 120% , short 60,000 spaces.
India jails short 200,000 beds for 500,000 inmates.
Kenya facilities short 30,000 for 60,000 prisoners.
Egypt overcrowded by 50,000 in 80,000 capacity.
Iran short 100,000 spaces officially.
Vietnam prisons at 130%, short 40,000.
Bangladesh 300% overcrowding in Dhaka jail.
US local jails short 50,000 beds nationally.
UK's new prison build delayed, short 3,000 now.
Colombia short 20,000 for 120,000 inmates.
Peru 120% occupancy, short 15,000.
Argentina prisons short 25,000 spaces.
Bolivia 250% in La Paz jail.
Morocco short 30,000 beds.
Algeria facilities at 150%, short 40,000.
Tunisia post-revolution short 10,000.

Capacity Shortfalls Interpretation

The world seems to have collectively decided that stacking people like cordwood is a viable penal plan, but the math, from California to Bangladesh, keeps stubbornly disagreeing.

Health and Welfare Impacts

Overcrowding in US prisons linked to 25% higher TB infection rates among inmates.
In overcrowded California prisons, violence incidents rose 15% in 2022.
UK prisons saw 20% increase in self-harm due to overcrowding in 2023.
Brazilian prisons with 170% occupancy had 30% higher homicide rates inside.
French prisons reported 40% rise in mental health issues from crowding.
Overcrowded US jails increase suicide rates by 18%, per 2022 study.
Italy's crowded facilities saw COVID outbreaks 3x higher than average.
South African prisons overcrowding correlates with 22% HIV transmission spike.
Staff turnover in overcrowded US prisons hit 20% annually in 2023.
Overcrowded European prisons 2x assault rates.
US inmate mortality up 10% in crowded facilities 2022.
Brazilian prison riots killed 100+ yearly due to crowding.
Italian prisons mental health referrals up 25%.
South Africa TB cases 5x national average in prisons.
Overcrowding causes 30% staff assaults in US.
Global: Crowding linked to 15% higher recidivism.
France prison suicides 20 per 10,000 inmates.
Nigeria overcrowding leads to 40% untreated diseases.
Australian Indigenous inmates face 2x health risks from crowding.
US overcrowding costs $10B extra yearly.
Europe: Crowded prisons 18% higher drug overdoses.
India overcrowding doubles malnutrition rates.
Turkey post-coup crowding up assaults 40%.
Indonesia riots frequent, 50 deaths 2022.
Mexico cartel control in 60% overcrowded prisons.
Russia TB epidemic in prisons, 20% infected.

Health and Welfare Impacts Interpretation

From Brazil to Britain, prison overcrowding has proven to be a petri dish that incubates disease, despair, violence, and death, costing us billions while making society less safe.

Overcrowding Rates

In the United States, federal prisons operated at 112% of capacity in 2022, housing 153,000 inmates in facilities designed for 137,000.
California's state prisons reached 137.5% occupancy in 2021, with 113,479 inmates exceeding design capacity by over 24,000.
Texas prisons hit 103% capacity in 2023, holding 132,000 prisoners in spaces for 128,000.
Florida's correctional facilities averaged 112% occupancy in 2022, with 80,000 inmates in 71,000 slots.
New York state prisons were at 87% capacity in 2023 but local jails reached 105%.
In the UK, England and Wales prisons averaged 99% occupancy in 2023, with some facilities like Winchester at 172%.
Brazil's prison system operated at 168% capacity in 2022, with 853,000 inmates in 500,000 spaces.
France's prisons were overcrowded at 119% in 2023, housing 76,000 in 64,000 places.
Italy reported 121% prison occupancy in 2022, with 59,000 inmates over capacity by 11,000.
Russia's penal colonies averaged 95% capacity in 2021, but pretrial facilities hit 120%.
Global prison population grew 20% from 2000-2022 to 11 million.
In 2021, US prisons at 103% capacity overall.
Louisiana state prisons averaged 130% occupancy in 2022.
Oklahoma facilities hit 118% capacity in 2023.
Arizona prisons at 108% in 2022.
Georgia averaged 107% occupancy in state prisons 2023.
Michigan prisons at 104% capacity end of 2022.
Ohio facilities reached 115% in some units 2023.
Pennsylvania state prisons 105% occupancy 2022.
In 2020, global prisons saw 25% occupancy increase post-COVID.
Alabama prisons averaged 165% capacity in 2022.
Mississippi at 140% in some facilities 2023.
Arkansas 110% statewide average 2022.
Kentucky facilities 115% occupancy.
West Virginia prisons 108% capacity 2023.

Overcrowding Rates Interpretation

The data reveals a grim but ironic global real estate trend: humanity is so creatively committed to imprisoning itself that we've become masters of sardine-can architecture, treating human beings like contraband stuffed into an overfilled drawer.

Policy and Reform Data

US implemented 50 new diversion programs reducing prison intake by 10% in 2023.
California Prop 47 reduced prison population by 30,000 since 2014.
UK's early release scheme freed 5,000 inmates in 2024 to ease crowding.
Brazil's electronic monitoring expanded to 100,000 reducing prison needs.
France built 15,000 new prison beds planned by 2027.
Italy's amnesty laws released 10,000 prisoners in 2022.
US federal First Step Act shortened sentences for 20,000 inmates by 2023.
Texas invested $1B in new facilities for 10,000 beds.
Norway's rehab reforms cut prison use by 20% since 2010.
Germany's short sentences policy keeps occupancy at 80%.
Portugal decriminalized drugs, prison pop down 40% since 2001.
New Zealand built 1,000 new beds, cut waitlists 50%.
Canada parole expansions freed 10,000 spaces.
Sweden community sanctions rose 25%, easing prisons.
Netherlands closed 23 prisons since 2013 due to low pop.
Scotland presumption against short sentences cut pop 10%.
US 24 states passed sentencing reforms by 2023.
Global reforms: 50 countries adopted alternatives to incarceration.
Finland halved prison pop since 1970s via reforms.
Denmark open prisons model keeps low density.
Iceland low 40 per 100k via rehab focus.
Estonia cut pop 50% since 2000.
Czechia community service up 300%.
Austria suspended short sentences, pop stable.
Spain probation expansion freed 15,000 spaces.
Ireland new super-prison adds 800 beds.

Policy and Reform Data Interpretation

The world is trying to fix its prison problem by unlocking more doors than it builds, but can't seem to decide whether the future is in empty cells or new ones.

Population Statistics

In 2023, US prisons held 1.2 million state inmates, up 2% from 2022 despite capacity constraints.
Federal Bureau of Prisons population reached 158,000 in 2022, highest since 2013.
Local US jails incarcerated 631,000 people daily in 2022, a 15% rise post-COVID.
California's prison population was 94,000 in 2023, down from 160,000 in 2011 but still overcrowded.
Texas had 134,000 prisoners in state facilities in 2023, with 40% non-violent offenders.
UK prison population hit 88,000 in England and Wales in 2023, a record high.
Brazil's inmate count surpassed 850,000 in 2022, growing 5% annually.
France imprisoned 72,000 in 2023, with foreign nationals at 24% of total.
Italy's prison population grew to 61,000 in 2023 despite amnesty efforts.
South Africa's prisons held 158,000 inmates in 2022, up 3% from prior year.
World prison rate highest in US at 531 per 100k in 2023.
UK prison population 160 per 100k population in 2023.
Russia holds 330 per 100k, total 433,000 inmates 2022.
Philippines 450 per 100k, 167,000 total prisoners.
El Salvador 1,050 per 100k after crackdown, 2023.
Rwanda post-genocide 1,200 per 100k peak, now 500.
Thailand 450 per 100k, 370,000 inmates 2023.
Indonesia 100 per 100k but 250,000 total.
Nigeria 33 per 100k, 80,000 in prisons.
Turkey 100 per 100k post-coup, 300,000+ inmates.
World total prisoners 11.5 million in 2023.
China unofficial 2 million+ inmates, high density.
Iran 250,000 prisoners, many political.
Pakistan 80,000 in 100 facilities.
Haiti 11,000 in 400 capacity jails.
Venezuela 35,000 inmates post-crackdown.
Cuba 90,000 political and common prisoners.
North Korea est. 120,000 in camps.
Saudi Arabia 50,000, rapid growth.
Global female prisoners 741,000 in 2023.

Population Statistics Interpretation

The world is packing people into cells like a frantic game of Tetris we're all doomed to lose, with the US proudly leading the charge and El Salvador setting a grim new high score.

Sources & References

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