This figure was revealed by the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Service, CG Evariste Murenzi, who stated that since the beginning of 2025, the service has received over 23,000 people sentenced by the courts.
On average, this means that at least 2,090 people are imprisoned each month. Currently, the total number of incarcerated individuals is over 70,000, with 23,000 new inmates received this year alone.
The Rwanda Human Rights Commission recently noted a decrease in the number of detainees, contributing to a reduction in overcrowding in prisons by 24.3%, from 134.3% to 110%.
The Commission also revealed that the total number of prisoners is 74,253, including 68,944 men, 4,773 women, and 536 children.
CG Murenzi emphasized that RCS is focused on rehabilitating offenders rather than punishing them as was done in the past.
He added that work-release programs are being implemented to reduce overcrowding, which allow inmates to work outside of prison three days a week, benefiting both the individual and their community.
President of the Supreme Court, Mukantaganzwa Domitilla, stated that efforts to promote reconciliation and restorative justice would further reduce incarceration rates.
The cost of detaining prisoners accounts for a significant portion of the budget. For example, last year, the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) was allocated over Frw 40 billion, with 60% of this amount used for the care of inmates across various correctional facilities.
This means that more than Frw 24 billion was spent on this, while the remaining funds were used for other activities.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/over-23-000-rwandans-incarcerated-in-the-last-11-months
