The Commission's Chairperson, Providence Umurungi, attributed the decline to several key measures, including policies that encourage non-judicial conflict resolution such as mediation, the release of prisoners on provisional freedom, and plea-bargaining where suspects admit their guilt in exchange for lighter sentences.
She made the disclosure on October 15, 2025, while presenting the NCHR's 2024/2025 annual report and the 2025/2026 action plan to members of Parliament.
Umurungi further noted that by the end of August 2025, the overcrowding rate had fallen even lower to 103.6%, showing a continuing downward trend compared to previous years.
'This year, we have observed positive changes that need to be supported. During inspections conducted in March and April, overcrowding stood at 110%, but by the time we finalized this report, it had decreased by another 7%,' she said.
The Commission carried out inspections on human rights observance in 14 prisons, rehabilitation camps for inmates serving community service, 112 RIB detention centers, 29 primary rehabilitation centers, three rehabilitation centers, nine elderly care centers, three homes from Impinganzima (hostels built for Genocide widows), and five mental health facilities.
'It's something to appreciate,' Umurungi remarked. 'The reduction is due to the renovation of some prisons, the release of many inmates, and the positive impact of mediation programs. While it's still early, we're seeing promising results that show such initiatives can yield strong outcomes if sustained.'
The Judiciary's annual report also supported these findings, revealing that in 2024/2025, the number of cases resolved through mediation rose by 32%, from 2,395 in 2023/2024 to 3,166 in 2024/2025.
Similarly, cases settled through plea bargaining reached 11,846, up from 9,851 the previous year, an increase of 20%.
However, Umurungi noted that despite these improvements, challenges remain in some prisons that still operate in outdated facilities, including Bugesera, Muhanga, Ngoma, and Rusizi prisons.
She also said that specialized rooms for prisoners suffering from contagious diseases have been established in several facilities to improve healthcare conditions.
Regarding the right to health, the Commission confirmed that medical services are available in prisons and that inmates requiring advanced care are referred to hospitals as needed.
On the issue of torture, Umurungi emphasized that no cases of torture or inhumane treatment were recorded in Rwandan prisons during the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Nevertheless, the Commission observed that some prisons, notably Huye and Rusizi, still face higher levels of overcrowding.
The Commission also inspected RIB detention facilities, where 5,927 detainees were being held, including 602 women, 211 boys, and 18 girls.
The most congested stations were Gicumbi, Kabarondo, Gacurabwenge, Nyamata, Nyagatare, Kigabiro Kirehe, Kimironko, Rusororo, Nyarubuye, and Kirehe.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/prison-overcrowding-in-rwanda-drops-by-24-4-in-2024-2025
