Dominican Republic

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CountryDominican Republic
Ministry responsible
Procuraduria General de la Republica
Prison administration
Dirección General de Servicios Penitenciarios y Correccionales
Contact address
Palacio de Justicia del Centro de los Héroes, de Constanza, Maimón y Estero Hondo
Telephone
+1 809 533 3522
Fax
+1 809 535 5921 or 533 7909
Website
Email
DirecciondePrisiones@gmail.com
Head of prison administration (and title)
Roberto Hernández Basilio
Director General de Servicios Penitenciario y Correccionales
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
26 396
at 31.1.2024 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
235
based on an estimated national population of 11.21 million at end of January 2024 (from United Nations figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
59.5%
(31.1.2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
2.5%
(31.1.2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
1.2%
(31.7.2023 - menores)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
6.9%
(31.1.2024)
Number of establishments / institutions
41
(2022 - 19 traditional prisons, 22 new model prisons (Correctional and Rehabilitation Centres)
Official capacity of prison system
15 701
(31.1.2024)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
168.1%
(31.1.2024)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 14,995 173
2002 16,569 184
2004 13,008 140
2006 13,800 145
2008 16,718 170
2010 20,743 208
2012 24,044 235
2014 25,203 241
2016 25,437 238
2018 26,078 238
2020 27,056 242
2000 14,995 173
2002 16,569 184
2004 13,008 140
2006 13,800 145
2008 16,718 170
2010 20,743 208
2012 24,044 235
2014 25,203 241
2016 25,437 238
2018 26,078 238
2020 27,056 242

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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. 

                                                   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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

12,335
9,752
13,619
15,327

82.2%
77.0%
64.7%
62.3%

141
104
136
143

2024

15,717

59.5%

140

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.

                                       DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

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

2000
2006
2010
2015

654
470
563
635

4.3%
3.4%
2.7%
2.6%

7.6
4.9
5.6
5.9

2024

668

2.5%

6.0

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