11. South Africa
Prison population: 159.241
Although South Africa has one of the highest numbers of prisoners in the world, the prison population rate actually decreased in last 15 years – while, at the beginning of the new century, there were 394 prisoners per 100.000 residents, in 2015 the prison rate was 292. Still, with an occupancy level of almost 133 percent, overcrowded prisons remain one of the main problems in South Africa’s correctional system. Three or more prisoners are locked in one cell for 23 hours, and they are allowed only one hour outside. The main reason behind overstuffed cells is a great number of pre-trial detainees who wait for the trial for months, even years, as many of them can’t pay bail or lawyer.
