Cyprus registered a negative first when it comes to prison safety standards, recording the highest overcrowding average across the EU in 2024, according to the latest Eurostat numbers.
The country’s capacity indicator rose to 227,6, with Slovenia a distant second on 134,2, followed by France in 129,3.
The lowest capacity indicator was registered in Estonia at 49,9, with Lithuania at 67 and Luxembourg 67,4.
The total number of individuals in Central Prisons rose to 965 in 2024, compared to 959 over the previous year, while the percentage of prisoners every 100 thousand inhabitants was around 100, down from 101,4 in 2023.
The total number of those incarcerated in Europe was more than half a million in 2024, a rise of 2% and almost 10% compared to 2020 that registered 463 thousand, a source of concern for competent authorities.
Out of 100 thousand inhabitants in Europe, 113 were in prison during 2024.
The highest percentage of prisoners in Europe was recorded in Hungary with 193, Poland at 191 and Latvia with 187.
The lowest, at 57, was in Finland, Netherlands had 67 and Germany with 70.
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