Prisons in Poland

As of 2007, there were 85 prisons in Poland (zakłady karne). At end of that year, Polish prisons had an official capacity of 79,213 inmates, but reported 87,776 persons in custody (110.8% of capacity). As of 2011, there were 215 correctional institutions, including 70 institutions for pre-trial detainees, 87 prisons, 14 hospitals, and 44 other units.[1] By February 2019, inmate numbers had dropped to 74,352 (196 per 100,000 of the general population).[1] Of this number, 10.7% were pre-trial detainees, 4.2% were female, .1% were minors, and 1.4% were foreign prisoners.[1]

Prisons in Poland fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Poland, but are administered by Służba Więzienna (Polish: Prison Service). As of 2019, the head of the Prison Service was Director General Jacek Kitlinski.[1]

The largest prison in Poland is Wronki Prison.

Prison Regimes

When entering the Polish prison system, prisoners are sorted into one of three regimes: the program regime (which operates in 19 prisons), therapeutic regime, or regular regime.[2] The program regime, which runs three months, guides prisoners in “structured activities”; the therapeutic regime, of similar length, helps prisoners with alcoholism, drug abuse, and mental illness through individual and group therapy.[2]

Problems in Polish Prisons

Overcrowding has historically been an issue in Polish correctional facilities. Since 2014, prisons have run close to capacity, with average occupancy above 90%.[3][1] Further, “(living) space per prisoner (has often been) less than the stated minimum in (Polish) legislation," meaning that Polish jailers have been forced to place 3-5 prisoners in cells made for two.[3] Overcrowding has also led to health problems, especially regarding hygiene and mental health, as showers are used constantly without maintenance.[2]

The largest substance abuse problem in Poland's jails is alcohol abuse.[3] Drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and heroin have also been reported. Injectable drugs are not considered as much of a problem, as hypodermic needle possession has not been reported.[3] In an attempt to combat drug abuse in Polish prisons, the Prison Service has instituted methadone treatment in two institutions as a pilot project, with an aim to assisting Poland's 1,000 prison addicts.[3]

Prison Population Trends[1]
Year Prison Population Rate

(per 100,000)

2000 70,544 184
2002 80,467 211
2004 80,368 211
2006 88,647 232
2008 83,152 218
2010 80,728 212
2012 84,156 221
2014 77,371 204
2016 71,528 188
2018 72,204 190

See also

References
  1. "Poland | World Prison Brief". www.prisonstudies.org. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  2. Zybert, E (2011). "Prison libraries in Poland: partners in rehabilitation, culture, and education". Library Trends. 59: 409–426.
  3. MacDonald, M. (2001). Prison health care in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations.


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