At the start of 2021, figures from Spain's prison service (Instituciones Penitenciarias) showed 47,373 people in Spanish prisons. That is 38% fewer than at the peak in 2009, when the number was around 65,500.
Why fewer people are in prison
The main reason given is reforms of the Spanish Criminal Code, in particular the wider use of suspended sentences for shorter prison terms. Instead of going to prison, more people serve their sentence under conditions in the community.
Who is in prison
- Men: 43,859
- Women: 3,514 (7.4%)
About half of all inmates take part in voluntary programmes aimed at changing criminal behaviour, including around 6,000 in a specialised programme on gender violence.
Covid-19 and safety
- Around 800 Covid-19 cases were recorded among inmates, an infection rate 2.2 times lower than in the general population. Four prison officers died during the first wave.
- 154 attacks on staff were recorded in 2020, 68% fewer than the 475 in 2010.
Video calls
During the pandemic several prisons introduced video calls so inmates could speak with their families, and the plan was to roll them out across the whole system.
What this means for inmates and families
These figures are from 2020–2021, and the numbers have changed since. Attacks on staff, for example, rose sharply again in 2022. But two things from this report still matter for families today:
- Suspended sentences are a real alternative for many short sentences. Read our guide on how suspension works and when judges refuse it.
- Video calls can make a huge difference for families abroad. Ask the prison whether your loved one can use them.
GC Libertad can help you with both. Contact us.
Source: Euro Weekly News