Cambodia

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CountryCambodia
Ministry responsible
Ministry of the Interior
Prison administration
Directorate General of Prisons (DGP)
Contact address
#275 Norodom Blvd., Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia
Telephone
+855 12 279 307
Fax
+855 23 726 207
Website
Email
keosan@interior.gov.kh
Head of prison administration (and title)
Chan Kimseng
Director General
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
45 122
at 12.3.2024 (Ministry of Interior)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
257
based on an estimated national population of 17.54 million at March 2024 (from United Nations figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
26.6%
(12.3.2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
6.6%
(July 2021)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
3.7%
(October 2022 - juveniles)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
3.7%
(2019)
Number of establishments / institutions
29
(2021)
Official capacity of prison system
11 000
(July 2023)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
409.1%
(July 2023)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 5,502 45
2002 6,128 48
2004 6,778 52
2006 10,338 76
2008 11,688 83
2010 14,043 97
2012 15,397 103
2014 15,182 98
2016 21,989 138
2018 31,686 193
2020 39,000 233
2000 5,502 45
2002 6,128 48
2004 6,778 52
2006 10,338 76
2008 11,688 83
2010 14,043 97
2012 15,397 103
2014 15,182 98
2016 21,989 138
2018 31,686 193
2020 39,000 233

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                                  CAMBODIA

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2021

1,967
2,434
4,443
6,127
13,549

35.8%
29.8%
31.9%
35.0%
34.7%

16
18
31
39
79

2024

11,982

26.6%

68

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                    CAMBODIA

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015

288
500
856
1,331

5.2%
6.1%
6.1%
8.1%

2.4
3.7
6.0
8.5

2021

2,571

6.6%

15.1

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate