From Challenges to Solutions: Mapping European Strategies on Prison Overcrowding

The report reflects the contributions of prison administrations, representatives, and experts who shared their experience and perspectives.

Key findings

• Prison overcrowding remains a widespread and systemic challenge with implications for safety, dignity, and compliance with international standards.
• Between 2020 and 2025, 24 of the 33 participating administrations reported an increase in prison populations. Notable increases were identified in France, Sweden, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Croatia.
• Overcrowding affects more than occupancy levels. It has consequences for access to healthcare, education, mental health support, staffing capacity, and overall safety.
• Measures taken by prison administrations operate at different levels. These include immediate operational responses, medium-term systemic measures, and long-term strategic approaches such as population forecasting and infrastructure planning.
• No single measure is sufficient on its own. Sustainable progress depends on coordinated action across the justice system and investment in staff, activity spaces, and reintegration pathways.

Purpose of the mapping

The report offers an overview of how prison overcrowding is understood and managed within the responsibilities of European prison administrations. It is intended to support informed dialogue among policymakers, practitioners, and partners, and to encourage shared learning and forward planning for more humane and resilient prison systems.

Explore the Findings

Discover the full mapping and see how European prisons are working toward sustainable capacity management.

• View the full interactive report here.
• Alternatively, you can download and view the report as a PDF here.