Penal Reform International
Last week (11 September 2024), Penal Reform International published the Global Prison Trends 2024 report, the 10th edition of this flagship series. It provides a detailed overview of the major developments and challenges in prison systems around the world. Published in collaboration with the Thailand Institute of Justice, this edition sheds light on key issues such as prison overcrowding, the mental health crisis in prisons, corruption, and the growing use of digital technologies. It also highlights the significant disparities in prison labour, including variations in access, pay and working conditions.
In addition to identifying these challenges, the 2024 report showcases innovative solutions, including ‘green’ initiatives aimed at promoting rehabilitation and sustainability.
The report is a vital resource for those interested in prison reform and improving global criminal justice systems.
Facts and figures
The report is crammed full of fascinating (typically deeply depressing) facts and figures; I have picked a selection of these to feature in this blog post. I hope you find my choices interesting, but I do recommend having a browse through the report yourself.
Numbers
There are nearly 11.5 million people in prison around the world, 10.5 million of them are men. Between 2000 – 2022, the male prison population increased by 22% while the number of women incarcerated shot up by 60%.
Remand
Large remand populations are not just an issue in England and Wales. One in three people in prison around the world are in pre-trial detention, presumed innocent.
Older people
Known rates of older persons in prison vary from 0.5% in Montenegro to 35% in Japan. What is considered “older” in detention ranges from 50 to 70 years old, due to recognition of accelerated aging in prison. In the US, almost half of those serving life without parole are over 50, with one-third projected to be by 2030.
Children in custody
The number of children in criminal justice-related detention is increasing, estimated to be 261,200 in 2024 of whom 19,000 live with their guardian in prison (typically their mother). The United Nations recommends that the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be 14 years. The global average is 11.3 years, the global median is 12 years. In England and Wales it is 10 years.
Racism
Racial, ethnic and indigenous minorities are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned across the globe as the infographic I have reproduced below illustrates.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding is also a global issue. Only one in three countries’ prison systems operates within capacity. 59 countries’ prisons hold 150% of the number of people their system is designed for; 8 countries have overcrowding at a staggering 300% of their capacity.
Health in prison
Globally, prison health care systems are struggling with much higher rates of HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis as well as mental health. The report highlights that a significant proportion of prisoners experience neurodivergent conditions but does note some progress in some jurisdictions. Again, the report makes great use of infographics to summarise key issues.
Digital technologies
The global surge in adopting digital technologies within prisons aims to enhance security, improve operational efficiencies, and support rehabilitation efforts. However, ongoing concerns persist regarding issues of discrimination, privacy violations, and the exclusion of vulnerable groups from fully benefiting from these advancements.
Greener prisons
There is a rising movement towards establishing environmentally sustainable ‘green’ prisons, driven by the substantial energy consumption and waste production of prisons, which contribute to environmental impacts (with some concerns about ‘greenwashing’). Concurrently, initiatives promoting food security through agricultural training and sustainable food production are gaining traction to mitigate food insecurity.
Recruitment challenges
Many prison systems face challenges in recruiting and retaining staff due to challenging working conditions, including rural locations and stigma associated with prison work. There have been several fatal incidents involving prison staff over the past year. Pay raises, enhanced job advertising, and innovative recruitment methods using technologies have been adopted.
The death penalty
Abolition of capital punishment continues; however, 2023 marked the highest recorded number of executions in nearly a decade (primarily driven by executions in Iran). At least half a million people are serving formal life sentences globally, while many more endure ‘de facto’ life terms, including ‘100-year’ prison terms. At least 64 countries have sentences that are ‘de facto’ life. Whole life sentences are a growing trend in England and Wales.
