Prisons in Portugal face serious problems, according to the Justice Minister, Rita Alarcão Júdice. Prison facilities are aging and conditions inside the cells have been a major concern.
The figures revealed are alarming: there are currently 13,700 prisoners in the Portuguese prison system and, this year alone, 55 deaths have been recorded in the country's prisons. These data highlight the gravity of the situation the system is facing.
The minister publicly acknowledges the existence of "serious problems" in the prison system. This admission comes at a time when the government faces criticism regarding prison conditions and the treatment given to inmates.
In response to this crisis, the executive announced plans to close a wing of the Lisbon Prison facility during 2026, in an attempt to improve conditions and reduce overcrowding.
