Prisons, detention - Data, IndicatorsOverview: Comment

In Switzerland, responsibility for prison establishment comes under the Cantons. In order to keep data always up to date at national level, every year in September the FSO conducts a "Survey on the number of inmates in prison institutions and establishments". Information such as the establishment's official capacity, the type of detention served there as well as the profile of the imprisoned population (distribution according to sex, nationality, residence permit, etc.) are collected each year in September.

Since 1999, the number of prison establishments has declined considerably, decreasing from 145 to 114. This is in contrast to figures on official capacity and the number of inmates, which have remained stable. This implies that small establishments have been replaced by larger ones.

Prison inmates

In 2011, the 113 prison establishments held 6'085 inmates for a total of 6'660 available places. Foreign inmates are in the majority (71%) in this population, whereas women account for approximately 5%. Minors account for only 1.4%. Among inmates, 28% were in pre-trial detention, 63% in custody and execution of sentences, 6% in detention subject to coercive measures under the Aliens Law and 3% were detained for other reasons. With 78 inmates per 100'000 persons of the resident population, the rate of imprisonment in Switzerland ranks among the lower third of western European countries.

Sentencing trends

In 1984, of all prison sentences passed, 70% were for normal custody. In 2009, although the situation remained stable in absolute figures, the share of normal custody in the total of prison sentences was 62%. This is partly due to the introduction and development of community work. Having peaked in 2007 with a total of 5'619 cases, community work has since declined considerably (4'039 cases in 2009). Since 1999, the share of women with this type of sentence has greatly increased (rising from 129 cases to 757), whereas the share of foreigners has increased but to a lesser extent. It is interesting to note that in 1999, the age group 25-34 was by far the most represented and that there were great differences between the age categories. In contrast, in 2009, very similar numbers were seen for each age category.