Significant increase in the number of detainees
Between 1988 and 2017, the number of correctional facilities in Switzerland decreased by 30%. During this time, however, capacity was increased by 2002 detention places (+37%): This was also to accommodate the number of detainees, which has grown by 50% in 30 years. This is evident from the survey of the Federal Statistical Office.
Over the past 30 years, an average of 24% of persons in pre-trial or security detention had Swiss citizenship. Foreign nationals residing in Switzerland or abroad accounted for 31% and 45% of this inmate category, respectively. This is according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) survey on deprivation of liberty.
Strong increase in 30 years
The inmate population increased from 4621 to 6907 persons between 1988 and 2017. During the same period, the number of inmates per 100,000 inhabitants increased from 70 to 82. A total of 899 more persons were imprisoned in the penal and measures system in 2017 than in 1988 (+32%). The percentage increase was significantly higher in the early execution of sentences and measures (+282% or +765 persons) and in the execution of coercive measures under the Foreign Nationals Act (+328% or +197 persons).
Fewer but larger correctional facilities.
The number of correctional facilities in Switzerland decreased from 152 to 106 (-30%). Smaller institutions were gradually closed. In 1988, one in three had fewer than ten places of detention. In 2017, these institutions accounted for only 8%.
About a quarter of Swiss correctional facilities were able to house more than 100 inmates in 2017, up from 9% in 1988. Overall, facility capacity increased by more than 2,000 detention spaces in 30 years (from 5487 to 7489; +37%). In 1988, there were 83 detention spaces per 100,000 population; in 2017, there were 89.
Stable numbers in pretrial and security detention
The number of people in pre-trial and security detention has changed little over the past 30 years. It has fluctuated throughout Switzerland between 1279 (in 1989) and 2097 (in 2013). This category of inmates accounted for an average of 31% of the total prison population between 1988 and 2017.
Broken down by decade (1988-1997, 1998-2007, 2008-2017), the inmate population in pretrial and security detention also shows different trends.
In the first decade, 31% of the persons in pre-trial or security detention were of Swiss nationality (maximum in 1989 with 44%). Foreign detainees residing in Switzerland (incl. persons in the asylum process) and foreign detainees residing abroad accounted for 28% and 41% of the population, respectively.
In the second decade studied, the share of Swiss detainees fell by eleven percentage points to 20%. In contrast, the shares of the two categories of foreigners have increased. The share of foreign detainees residing in Switzerland amounted to 37%, and that of foreigners residing abroad to 43%.
In the third decade, the proportion of Swiss inmates remained stable (20%). The share of foreign inmates residing in Switzerland was 28% of the population (as in the first decade studied), while foreigners residing abroad accounted for more than half of the population (52%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office
