ZAGREB, December 4, 2018 - The prison population across Europe is unchanged, while the Croatian prison population is decreasing, according to the report "Prisons in Europe 2005-2015", which was published by the Council of Europe on Tuesday.
Figures are very high in England, Wales, Scotland, Spain and Portugal whereas Croatia, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey have low rates. In the 2005 and 2015 period, the number of prisoners rose the most in Albania, Georgia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey. On the other hand, the lowest growth rates were registered in Germany and the Netherlands, while Estonia and Latvia registered the highest rates of a decrease in prison population in Europe.
The report notes that when compared to other European countries, in 2014/15 Croatia had a low prison population rate.
"Low: prison population rate, average length of imprisonment based on stock and flow, prison density, rate of suicides per 10,000 inmates, percentage of suicides in pre-trial detention, ratio of inmates per staff, average amount spent per day for the detention of one inmate," reads the report.
From 2005 to 2015, the prison population rate of Croatia (stock) increased by 2%. In 2005, the country had 79 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants, while in 2015 it had 80.
"Medium: rate of entries into penal institutions, average length of imprisonment based on the total number of days spent in penal institutions, percentage of non-sentenced inmates, percentage of custodial staff in the total staff.
From 2005 to 2014, the rate of entries (flow of entries) decreased by 28%. In 2005, there were 301 entries into penal institutions per 100,000 inhabitants, while in 2014 there were 216, according to the report.
"High: rate of releases from penal institutions, median age of the prison population, percentage of foreigners in pre-trial detention, rate of deaths per 10,000 inmates."
The report reads that from 2009 to 2014, the rate of releases (flow of releases) decreased by 23%. In 2009, there were 278 releases from penal institutions per 100,000 inhabitants, while in 2014 there were 214.
"When the percentage of female and the percentage of foreign inmates are calculated, the Croatian percentages are medium compared to the member States of the Council of Europe, but low compared to the member States of the European Union."
For more on prisons in Croatia, click here.
