KEY FACTS AND FIGURES The number of PEOPLE in PRISON 20% increased by The use of the DEATH PENALTY between 2002 2015 is DRUGRELATED convictions FAIL TO REDUCE drug consumption or drug-related crimes, but INCREASE prison populations DECREASING OVERCROWDING creates INSANITARY and VIOLENT PRISON CONDITIONS > HARMFUL to prisoners’ BUT this is linked to an INCREASED USE in LIFE SENTENCES The number of prisoners serving LIFE SENTENCES increased by 84% between 2000 2018 physical and mental wellbeing > impede REHABILITATION In many countries PRISONERS are still PREVENTED SOLITARY CONFINEMENT is still WIDELY USED despite its severe detrimental effect on mental health STAFF SHORTAGES and budget cuts in many countries have led to an increase in from having regular CONTACT with the OUTSIDE WORLD VIOLENCE in prison, where STAFF ARE AT RISK for their physical and mental wellbeing Death in prisons: SUICIDE is the single most common cause • Female prison officers are a minority and many TORTURE and degrading treatment of prisoners PREVALENT is in many countries SUBSTANDARD prison conditions and POOR TREATMENT of prisoners leads to serious HARASSMENT face at work, both from prisoners and other staff Penal Reform International and Thailand Institute of Justice | Global Prison Trends 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS |5