The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has submitted a report on the growing prison population to the UN Special Rapporteur.
According to the organization, Georgia currently stands out with one of the highest per capita prison populations in Europe. A report published by the Council of Europe in 2026 reveals that, as of January 2025, the incarceration rate in Georgia stood at approximately 232 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants. Within the Council of Europe, only Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Moldova report higher figures.
“The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture is currently preparing a technical guidance document on reducing and preventing prison overcrowding, gathering input from civil society organizations, among others, throughout the development process.
To contribute to this guidance, on September 28, 2026, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association submitted a document to the Special Rapporteur examining the challenges associated with Georgia’s high prison population.
The document analyzes current inmate statistics, highlighting Georgia’s position with one of the highest incarceration rates compared to European countries, the rising trajectory in the number of convicted individuals, and local overcrowding within specific penitentiary facilities.
Additionally, the report examines shortcomings within the parole system and the substitution of unserved sentences with more lenient penalties, pointing to the declining frequency of these measures and inconsistent judicial rulings. It also addresses the excessive reliance on pre-trial detention as a preventive measure, the underuse of alternative non-custodial sanctions, and the overwhelmingly punitive orientation of the state’s criminal justice policy.
The document underscores the need to strengthen prevention, rehabilitation, and social support mechanisms, while framing the expanding prison population within a broader decline in the human rights landscape. Based on these identified challenges, the report puts forward relevant recommendations,” reads the statement issued by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association.
