Macau (China)

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CountryMacau (China)
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Justice
Prison administration
Correctional Services Bureau (Direccao dos Servicos Correccionais)
Contact address
Rua de S. Francisco Xavier s/n, Coloane, Macau
Telephone
+853 2888 1211
Fax
+853 2888 2431
Website
Email
info@dsc.gov.mo
Head of prison administration (and title)
Cheng Fong Meng
Director
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
1 345
at 30.9.2024 (Macau Directorate of Statistical and Census Services)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
196
based on an estimated national population of 686,600 at end of September 2024 (from Macau Directorate of Statistical and Census Services figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
12.7%
(mid-2021)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
17.8%
(30.9.2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.9%
(31.12.2016 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
72.1%
(mid-2021 - including residents of mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.)
Number of establishments / institutions
2
(2017 - Macau Prison (Coloane) and Youth Correctional Institution)
Official capacity of prison system
1 565
(31.10.2016 - maximum capacity)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
82.8%
(31.10.2016)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 847 196
2002 928 211
2004 867 187
2006 859 168
2008 912 168
2010 929 172
2012 1,112 191
2014 1,205 189
2016 1,271 197
2018 1,458 218
2020 1,548 227
2022 1,323 197
2000 847 196
2002 928 211
2004 867 187
2006 859 168
2008 912 168
2010 929 172
2012 1,112 191
2014 1,205 189
2016 1,271 197
2018 1,458 218
2020 1,548 227
2022 1,323 197

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. 

                                                      MACAU (CHINA)

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
2019

175
193
227
281
286

20.7%
21.5%
24.4%
22.0%
18.8%

41
40
42
43
43

2021

196

12.7%

29

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.

                                                  MACAU (CHINA)

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

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

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020

64
82
136
218
192

7.3%
9.2%
14.8%
17.4%
12.3%

14.9
17.3
25.3
33.9
28.0

2023

240

17.8%

35.0

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