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.
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]
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] Certain prisons have specific units dedicated to individuals suffering from alcoholism or other drug addictions. Patients may be held in these units for a period of three to six months, during which they participate in therapeutic meetings.[4] 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]
| 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 |