Prisoner numbers fall

(c) Ostschweizer Strafvollzugskonkordat

There are fewer people in prison now than there were prior to the pandemic.

There are around 6,500 people behind bars – that includes those on remand or being detained for immigration offences, according to the Federal Statistics Office. 

That’s down 13% from 2019. 

Switzerland is divided into three different zones for housing prisoners so cantons share the cost of facilities. Latin Switzerland, which includes Ticino, then Central Switzerland and East Switzerland which includes Zurich.

Most of the decline in from the eastern part.  

Although there are fewer prisoners - the occupancy rate is higher as some prisons have been closed.

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