Report reveals 113.8% overcrowding in prisons. 49.3% of Córdoba inmates do not have a final sentence
Compartir:
Córdoba recorded the highest incarceration rate in Argentina, with 377 prisoners for every 100,000 inhabitants. This figure exceeds the national average of 258 detainees by 120 points. The 2024 report counted 14,736 people in prisons.
The growth of the prison population showed an upward trend in the last decade. The number of inmates increased by 116.6% from 2015 to date. The provincial system operates with an occupancy level of 113.8%.
Half of the prison population of Córdoba is in pretrial detention. 49.3% of the inmates, about 7,262 people, do not yet have a final conviction. This figure contrasts with the national average, which stands at 37.3%.
Córdoba registró la tasa de encarcelamiento más alta de Argentina con 377 presos cada 100 mil habitantes.
Most frequent crimes and the profile of detainees
Crimes against private property predominate, with 41.5% of cases. Crimes against persons and against sexual integrity follow, with 19% each. Violations of the narcotics law account for 9.7% of prisoners.
The demographic profile indicates that 94.7% of the prison population are men. Women represent 5.1% and slightly exceed the national average. Seven out of every 10 people in prisons are between 21 and 39 years old.
20.3% of those convicted are serving short sentences of up to 3 years in prison. The current regulations would allow the application of alternative measures to imprisonment in these cases. The report suggests evaluating the use of electronic bracelets or house arrest.
Los delitos contra la propiedad privada predominan con el 41,5% de los casos.
Infrastructure works in response to population growth
The provincial government announced the construction of new infrastructure to expand capacity. A maximum-security complex will be built in Bouwer with capacity for 1,000 people. The investment will require 109 billion pesos for the year 2026.
A new holding unit for 500 detainees will add another 15 billion pesos. Minister Julián López explained that the infrastructure seeks to respond to the stress on the system. Córdoba is characterized by not housing detainees in police stations.
The increase in incarceration has not had a proportional impact on crime reduction. While the incarceration rate grew by 6.2%, the crime rate varied by 2.2%. The national committee recommended addressing the structural factors of the phenomenon.
El perfil demográfico indica que el 94,7% de la población penitenciaria son varones.
