UNODC: Data on imprisoned persons worldwide

UNODC regularly updates global statistical series on crime, criminal justice, drug trafficking and prices, drug production, and drug use. A new series of short analytical briefs that illustrate selected policy issues on the basis of the most recent available data. Data Matters is the title of this series, as data are important to put topics in the right context and to foster debate on a range of themes that are key to achieve the Agenda 2030.

Data matters No.1- Nearly twelve million people imprisoned globally, nearly one-third unsentenced with prisons overcrowded in half of all countries.

At the end of 2019, an estimated 11.7 million persons were detained in prisons across the world.
This is a population comparable in size to entire nations such as Bolivia, Burundi, Belgium, or
Tunisia. Since 2000, the population held in prison has increased by more than 25%. Most persons detained in prison globally are men (93%) but - over the last 20 years – the number of women in prisons has increased at a faster pace (33% increase) than men (25% increase).