Beyond Capacity: Cambodia’s Exploding Prison Population & Correctional Center

Cambodia’s prison population is in the midst of an unprecedented population boom. Just six years ago, the 18 prisons monitored by LICADHO were at roughly 100% of their collective capacity1. Since then, the population has exploded, growing at an average rate of 14% per year. Prison capacity has also increased, but not nearly enough to keep pace with growth. The General Department of Prisons (GDP) reported in March 2010 that the entire prison system held 13,325 inmates – 167% of the system’s 8,000-inmate capacity. The 18 prisons LICADHO monitors, meanwhile, were filled to 175% of capacity as of June 2010. As of December 2009, one third of all Cambodian prisoners – over 4,000 – were in pretrial status.