Number of people behind bars in Estonia climbs above 2,900
The total number of people in Estonian prisons has increased somewhat again after hitting a record low at the end of last year, figures published by the Ministry of Justice show.
As of Tuesday, a total of 2,903 people, including 2,236 convicted criminals and 667 individuals in pretrial detention, were held in Estonian prisons.
In mid-July, the corresponding figures were 2,898, 2,242 and 656.
In December 2015, Estonia's prison population hit a record low of 2,795.
The prison holding the largest number of inmates in Estonia is Tartu Prison, which held 992 people behind bars as of Tuesday. Viru Prison in Northeastern Estonia held 871 inmates while Tallinn Prison held 830. An additional 210 individuals were under police detention.
A total of 24 minors, 151 women, 41 people serving a life sentence were held behind bars in Estonia. An additional 239 were held in minimum-security prison, also known as "open prison."
Convicts under supervision numbered 4,435 in total, including 521 people released from jail before serving their full term. 97 convicted offenders were under electronic surveillance.
In March 2014, the number of people behind bars in Estonia fell below 3,000 for the first time since the country regained its independence in August 1991. Ten years ago, Estonia's prison population numbered 4,576.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik
Source: BNS