Türkiye’s Prison Population Hits Historic High at 403,060—Now Larger Than 24 Countries

As of April 2025, Türkiye’s prison population has reached an all-time high of 403,060 inmates, surpassing the total populations of 24 countries including San Marino, Iceland, and Andorra, according to official data from the Ministry of Justice.

This figure, the highest in the history of the Turkish Republic, includes 346,442 convicted prisoners and 56,618 pre-trial detainees, sparking renewed debate over the country’s criminal justice and incarceration policies.

Surge in Female and Child Inmates Draws Concern

Among the incarcerated are:

• 17,712 women

  • 14,338 convicted

  • 3,374 detained

• 4,011 children

  • 1,261 convicted

  • 2,750 in pre-trial detention

The rising number of incarcerated children, in particular, has drawn criticism from human rights groups and legal scholars, who argue that detaining minors poses severe psychological and social risks and calls for urgent reform.

Overcrowding Sparks Calls for Structural Reform

The rapid rise in prisoner numbers has exacerbated overcrowding in prisons, placing additional strain on Türkiye’s already overburdened penal system.

Legal experts and rights organizations are pushing for deep structural reforms, warning that the current trajectory is unsustainable.

“We need to reassess our sentencing policies and invest in alternatives to incarceration,” said several legal commentators, noting that prison should not be the default solution for every offense.

Amnesty Debate Rekindled Amid PKK Disarmament

Following the recent disbandment announcement by the PKK, discussions around a general amnesty have once again gained traction in the public sphere. Some argue that an amnesty could relieve the crushing burden on the penitentiary system.

However, critics warn that blanket pardons risk undermining the rule of law and should be weighed against long-term judicial reforms.

Türkiye Now Imprisons More People Than These Countries Have Residents

The country’s total prison population now exceeds the national populations of:

• Liechtenstein – 39,000

• San Marino – 34,000

• Andorra – 79,000

• Iceland – 390,000
  …and 20 other nations.

This staggering comparison has fueled demands to rethink Türkiye’s approach to criminal justice, emphasizing rehabilitation, judicial discretion, and proportional sentencing.