Rwandan Prisons See Gradual Decline in Overcrowding, Yet Some Facilities Remain Strained

Rwanda’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reported that the country’s prison population has decreased, though several facilities remain overcrowded, according to its 2024/2025 activity report.

As of August 31, 2025, 74,253 people were held in Rwanda’s 14 prisons, including 68,944 men, 4,773 women, 516 boys, and 20 girls. The overall prison overcrowding rate has dropped from 134.3% to 110%, representing a 24.3% reduction, but certain facilities continue to operate beyond capacity.

Rubavu Prison: Holds 6,214 inmates, including 1,206 convicted of genocide, with a capacity of 4,480. Overcrowding stands at 138.7%.

Rwamagana Prison: 17,046 prisoners, 2,258 convicted of genocide, capacity 13,797 (123.5% overcrowded).

Muhanga Prison: 6,544 inmates, 700 for genocide, capacity 5,250 (124.6% overcrowded).

Nyarugenge Prison (Mageragere): 10,785 inmates, 1,126 genocide convicts, capacity 8,662 (124.5% overcrowded).

Rusizi Prison: 3,069 inmates, 792 for genocide, capacity 2,500 (122.7% overcrowded).

Huye Prison: 10,146 inmates, 3,841 genocide convicts, capacity 9,700 (104.5% overcrowded).

Bugesera Prison: 2,879 inmates, 1,017 genocide convicts, capacity 2,800 (102.8% overcrowded).

Nyamagabe Prison: 1,839 inmates, 833 genocide convicts, capacity 3,035 (60.5% capacity).

Mulindi Military Prison: 610 inmates, 12 genocide convicts, capacity 800.

Musanze Prison: 4,886 inmates, 150 genocide convicts, capacity 5,887 (82.9% capacity).

Ngoma Prison: 1,286 inmates, 325 genocide convicts, capacity 1,500.

Nyanza (Mpanga) Prison: 5,233 inmates, 3,542 genocide convicts, capacity 5,500 (95% capacity).

Nyagatare Prison: 647 juvenile offenders, 63 genocide-related, capacity 650 (99.5% capacity).

NHRC Chairperson Umurungi Providence told Parliament that the Department of Corrections reported 71,561 detainees, representing 103.8% of national prison capacity as of late August 2025.

The report emphasizes that while Rwanda has made progress in reducing overcrowding, several major facilities, particularly those housing genocide convicts, continue to exceed capacity, highlighting the need for ongoing reforms in the corrections system.