Portugal’s Prisons Hit Overcrowding Crisis at 103% Occupancy
Portugal’s prison system has officially reached a breaking point. For the first time in six years, the nation’s correctional facilities have exceeded their maximum capacity, according to the 2025 Annual Internal Security Report (RASI) submitted to the Assembly of the Republic on Monday.
Occupancy Rates Surpass 100%
By the end of 2025, the occupancy rate in Portuguese prisons hit 103.4%, signaling a return to systemic overcrowding. The total inmate population reached 13,136 individuals. This figure includes more than 3,000 pre-trial detainees and 361 individuals deemed non-criminally responsible due to mental health or other factors.
The demographic breakdown shows that 81.9% of the population consists of Portuguese nationals. However, the report noted a shift in trends regarding foreign nationals: after a decade of decline, the percentage of foreign inmates has risen for the third consecutive year. The majority of these inmates originate from Portuguese-speaking African countries—specifically Cape Verde, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau—followed by individuals from South America, primarily Brazil.
Violent Crimes and Drug Trafficking Lead Convictions
The report highlights that the vast majority of convictions are linked to three categories: crimes against persons (including homicide), property crimes, and drug trafficking. Despite the strain on the system, assaults on prison staff saw a slight decline. Authorities recorded 39 assaults on guards in 2025, five fewer than the previous year.
Health and Mortality Behind Bars
Tragedy also marked the year, with 64 deaths recorded within the prison system. Of these, 14 were suicides—an increase of five from 2024. The remaining 50 deaths were attributed to illness, a figure that has decreased slightly but remains a concern for officials.
“The figures for deaths by illness continue to reflect the progressive aging of the prison population and the existence of high-morbidity diseases affecting some inmates upon entry into the prison system,” the RASI stated, pointing to the logistical challenges of providing healthcare to an aging and vulnerable population.
Security and Escapes
In terms of facility security, the report noted four escapes during the year, one fewer than in 2024. Law enforcement successfully recaptured all five inmates who had fled custody.
As the prison system enters 2026 under the weight of overcrowding, the report serves as a stark warning to policymakers regarding the sustainability and safety of Portugal’s correctional infrastructure.
Image: Pexels – Héctor Berganza
