Prisons in Turkey are overflowing

The density in Turkey's prisons has reached a new record level according to the latest data. While the total capacity of 403 prisons was set at 304 thousand 956, the number of inmates held in prisons has risen to 412 thousand 991. Thus, the capacity in prisons has been exceeded by more than 35 percent, and the number of inmates housed beyond capacity has surpassed 108 thousand. This increase is more pronounced in closed prisons, and there has been a 5.6 percent rise in the total occupancy rate in prisons within one month.

According to the report by Cumhuriyet, there are 114 thousand 418 people in open prisons and 298 thousand 573 in closed prisons. The number of inmates held in closed institutions increased by 0.73 percent compared to a month ago, accounting for 72.3 percent of the total. While the vast majority of inmates consist of 348 thousand 735 convicts, the number of detainees was recorded as 64 thousand 256.

THE SITUATION OF CHILDREN AND THE DISABLED IN PRISONS

The presence of vulnerable groups in prisons is particularly striking. There are 891 children between the ages of 0-6 staying with their mothers in prisons. In total, 4 thousand 524 children between the ages of 12-18 are housed as detainees or convicts, 216 of whom are girls. Additionally, there are 476 disabled inmates housed in prisons; visual, hearing, and orthopedic impairments are predominant among the disabled. The number of inmates over the age of 65 has reached 6 thousand 572.

Data on female inmates also reveals a concerning picture. While there was a 2.01 percent increase in the number of female inmates compared to last month, this number rose to 19 thousand 728. Although the ratio of women to the general population is low, experts point out that women in prisons are disproportionately subjected to rights violations and evaluate this situation as a reflection of gender inequality.

EDUCATION, WORK, AND DAILY LIFE

It was recorded that 77 thousand 14 inmates are continuing their education, and 58 thousand 500 are working with social security. Besides this, there are 200 LGBTI+ inmates and 14 thousand 276 foreign nationals in prisons.

As of 2025, the daily food allowance in prisons has been set at 144 TL for convicts, detainees, and personnel; and at 275 TL for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

THE SITUATION IS BECOMING MORE SEVERE EVERY DAY

The increasing occupancy in Turkey's prisons causes significant risks to emerge, especially for sick, elderly, female, and child inmates. The negative conditions created by lack of space and crowded environments place serious pressure on inmates both physically and psychosocially. Experts state that the penal execution system is under the pressure of not only numerical but also structural problems, and that current conditions constitute a significant human rights issue awaiting a solution.