Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

February 10, 2026

Iran: execution of 14 incarcerated individuals, including Afghan nationals across six facilities

News

Asia Foreign prisoners Death penalty Iran

The Iranian judiciary executed 14 incarcerated individuals, including three Afghan nationals and three Gilak men, across facilities in Ahvaz, Arak, Gorgan, Taybad, Yazd, and Shiraz on charges of “premeditated murder” and drug-related offences.

February 9, 2026

Singapore: increase in numbers of younger incarcerated people and in-prison assaults

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Pre-trial detention Asia Minors Drugs Violence Singapore

The number of young and remand incarcerated people increased in 2025, contributing to a rise in assault incidents, said the Singapore Prison Service (SPS).

February 9, 2026

Haiti: Grande Rivière du Nord Prison, hell on earth

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America Health Material conditions Facilities Haiti

As part of its tour of prisons in northern Haiti, the Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti (AVRED), in its report #3, reveals several alarming findings.

February 8, 2026

United States: hundreds of incarcerated people in Missouri need court-ordered mental health services. The waitlist is growing

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America Justice Mental health United States

The number of Missourians waiting in jail for services from the state’s mental health department continues to rise, with a backlog of more than 500 people with stalled cases.

February 6, 2026

Tajikistan: more than 400 women serving prison sentences

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Pre-trial detention Women Asia Tajikistan

More than 400 women are currently serving their jail terms in a women’s penal colony in Nurek, according to Ms. Bunafsha Fayziddinzoda, Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the government.

February 6, 2026

Tajikistan: why former incarcerated people struggle to start over

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Women Asia Rehabilitation Tajikistan

Release from prison does not mean a return to normal life. A lack of documents, difficulties finding work and housing, and deep-rooted social stigma turn the reintegration of former incarcerated people into a serious challenge.

February 6, 2026

Russia: people in prison are having up to 75% of their money transfers confiscated

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Asia Europe Social ties Work Russia

In a number of Russian penal colonies and prisons, up to 75% of money transfers sent to incarcerated people by relatives and loved ones are being withheld in order to “cover the costs of their upkeep.”

February 5, 2026

Estonia: country won't be renting out prison space to any other countries

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Europe Facilities Overcrowding Estonia

The government plans to honor a prison rental agreement with Sweden but has no plans for other such agreements, said Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta.

February 4, 2026

Myanmar: fifteen female political prisoners placed in solitary confinement following coup anniversary protest at Kalay prison

News

Women Asia Discipline Myanmar (Burma)

Authorities at Mawlaikkalay Prison have placed 15 incarcerated women in solitary confinement after more than 200 people in prison staged a peaceful demonstration to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2021 military coup.

February 4, 2026

Sudan: two women from El Gedaref and Blue Nile face death by stoning

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Africa Women Access to legal rights Death penalty Sudan

The women are reportedly without legal representation amid the collapse of the justice system, and the restriction of the work of legal aid organisations. The activists highlight that the women’s situation “requires urgent and effective solidarity”.

February 3, 2026

United Kingdom: Whitemoor prison under fire, PAVA spray use soars above all other high-security jails

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Crises Europe Facilities

Incarcerated people locked up, staff stretched, and safety under fire in Cambridgeshire’s fortress jail.

February 2, 2026

Belgium: prison overcrowding, Ministers explore possible cooperation with Estonia

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Europe Foreign prisoners Material conditions Facilities Overcrowding Belgium

Renting capacity abroad is one of the avenues the Belgian government is exploring to tackle overcrowding in the country’s prisons. Exploratory visits have already taken place to Kosovo and Albania.

January 30, 2026

Cyprus: Brazilian trans woman held in high security male wing of central prison

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Asia Europe LGBTQI Cyprus

The 23-year-old Brazilian trans woman, who is currently serving a six-year sentence in the central prison for drug smuggling is being held in isolation in the high-security psychiatric unit of the central prison.

January 29, 2026

Antigua and Barbuda: Government commits to ending practice of housing juveniles in adult prison

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America Minors Justice Antigua & Barbuda

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has confirmed a permanent policy shift away from housing juveniles in adult prison facilities, reinforcing its commitment to rehabilitation and child protection.

January 29, 2026

Russia: Human Rights Commissioner calls for expanded repatriation agreements for foreign incarcerated people

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Asia Europe Foreign prisoners Facilities Social ties Russia

Speaking at a meeting of the Russian Ministry of Justice’s collegium, she highlighted frequent appeals from women from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, who are seeking assistance in transferring their relatives to serve their sentences closer to home.

January 27, 2026

Iran: 19 incarcerated people executed in nine cities

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Asia Death penalty Iran

At least 19 incarcerated people were executed in prisons in Yasuj, Tabriz, Ardabil, Khorramabad, Khomein, Dezful, Karaj, Semnan, and Shiraz.

January 27, 2026

Gabon: existing and surviving in prison

Interview

Africa Pre-trial detention Access to legal rights Justice Material conditions Overcrowding

Gabon has a particularly high rate of incarceration: 226 people are imprisoned per 100,000 inhabitants. Overcrowding is a flagrant issue, and the living conditions are considered extremely concerning. SOS Prisonniers Gabon provides an overview.

January 26, 2026

Argentina: prison population hits new high amid chronic overcrowding

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America Pre-trial detention Women Mental health Drugs Overcrowding Argentina

Prison population grew 7.1% in 2024, with property crimes and short sentences driving overcrowding; five provinces exceed the national incarceration average, authorities warn that tougher laws and short sentences are fuelling sustained rise in numbers.

January 25, 2026

United States: two Mississippi prisons temporarily lose power amid freezing temps from winter storm

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America Material conditions Facilities United States

The winter storm that pushed through the state temporarily knocked out power at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood, even as temperatures plunged below freezing.

January 25, 2026

United Kingdom: more and more women are being released from prison into homelessness

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Women Europe Mental health Suicide Rehabilitation United Kingdom

Fraser Maclean, policy manager at Commonweal Housing, writes about why women face challenges to the greatest extent after leaving prison.

January 24, 2026

Pakistan: Afghans returned from Pakistan share painful prison stories

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Asia Material conditions Overcrowding Torture Social ties Pakistan

Afghans recently returned from Pakistan say they were transferred to harsh and inhumane prison conditions after being detained by Pakistani police. The joy of returning home has been overshadowed by their experience of arrest, imprisonment and torture.

January 24, 2026

Venezuela: political prisoner releases move slowly as families wait

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America Crises Social ties Venezuela

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said that over 600 incarcerated people have been released, far more than estimated by rights groups, who are demanding the liberation of all political prisoners.

January 23, 2026

United States: New York women’s prison forces people to go without showers or recreation

News

Women Mental health Material conditions Social ties United States

The conditions at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility are akin to solitary confinement, local experts say — an apparent violation of state law.

January 23, 2026

Greece: tuberculosis cases confirmed at Kassaveteia prison and in Volos

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Europe Health Material conditions Overcrowding Greece

Health authorities in Magnesia have been placed on alert following the confirmation of tuberculosis cases among incarcerated people at Kassaveteia prison.