Iraq’s jails buckle under overcrowding as amnesty law frees thousands – Middle East Monitor

Iraq’s prison system is severely overcrowded, operating at 200% capacity with 67,000 detainees in facilities designed for half that number, according to Justice Minister Khaled Shwani. A general amnesty law passed in January has already led to the release of over 2,500 inmates and aims to address the disproportionate imprisonment of the Sunni community, although critics fear it may also facilitate the release of those guilty of serious crimes. To alleviate the crisis, Iraq is constructing new prisons and reviewing cases, while halting executions and investigating inmate violations.

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