Chile

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CountryChile
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Justice
Prison administration
Gendarmeria de Chile
Contact address
Calle Rosas No. 1264, Santiago, Chile
Telephone
+56 2 916 3000
Fax
+56 2 685 1403 or 695 5709
Website
http://www.gendarmeria.cl
Head of prison administration (and title)
Christian Alveal Gutiérrez
Director Nacional
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
57 637
at 31.7.2024 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
303
based on an estimated national population of 19.02 million at end of July 2024 (from Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
36.3%
(31.7.2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
8.2%
(31.7.2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.1%
(30.9.2021 - juveniles)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
3.4%
(30.9.2012)
Number of establishments / institutions
113
(2019)
Official capacity of prison system
43 413
(30.9.2021)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
91.3%
(30.9.2021)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 33,050 215
2002 34,901 222
2004 36,374 226
2006 39,417 240
2008 48,826 291
2010 54,628 320
2012 51,882 298
2014 45,501 257
2016 43,603 242
2018 41,689 228
2020 39,884 215
2000 33,050 215
2002 34,901 222
2004 36,374 226
2006 39,417 240
2008 48,826 291
2010 54,628 320
2012 51,882 298
2014 45,501 257
2016 43,603 242
2018 41,689 228
2020 39,884 215

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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. 

                                                  CHILE

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
2020

16,033
12,829
11,877
12,321
12,923

48.5%
34.6%
22.2%
28.7%
32.4%

104
79
69
69
70

2024

20,937

36.3%

110

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.

                                                   CHILE

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

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

1999
2003
2006
2010
2015
2020

1,907
2,277
2,626
4,586
3,212
2,986

7.0%
6.0%
6.2%
8.6%
7.5%
7.5%

12.6
14.3
16.0
26.8
18.0
16.1

2024

4,748

8.2%

25.0

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