More Prisoners and Fewer Spaces in NRW Prisons - North Rhine-Westphalia prisons strain under rising inmate numbers and shrinking space
Prisons in North Rhine-Westphalia are facing growing pressure as inmate numbers rise while available spaces shrink. By the end of September, the number of prisoners climbed by 80 compared to last year, reaching 14,074. At the same time, the state lost 335 usable prison places, leaving just 16,914 spots across its facilities.
The latest figures show a clear trend: more prisoners but fewer spaces. Over the past year, the state’s prison capacity dropped from 17,249 to 16,914. Despite this, the number of inmates increased, pushing occupancy rates higher.
Officially, 2,840 prison places remain empty. However, these numbers can be misleading. Prisoners must be separated by security level, age, and gender, which often leads to overcrowding in specific units. Even with vacant spots, some facilities struggle to accommodate everyone safely. The statistics cover standard prisons but exclude those held in secure psychiatric units under forensic detention. The Ministry of Justice, led by Dr. Benjamin Limbach, oversees the state’s prison system and is responsible for managing these challenges.
The gap between available spaces and inmate numbers continues to narrow in North Rhine-Westphalia. With 14,074 prisoners now housed across 16,914 places, the system faces ongoing strain. Separation rules mean that even with empty beds, certain units may still experience overcrowding.
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