More than 80 percent of Iraq's prisons and detention centres are unfit for human habitation, according to a report released by the Justice Network for Prisoners in Iraq. The findings highlight severe overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and systemic inefficiencies within the penal system, which was already criticised by local and international organisations.
At a in Erbil on Monday, Shwan Saber Mustafa, the network's director, outlined the challenges. "Over 80 percent of prison buildings and detention centres are old and unfit for habitation," Mustafa said. He also pointed to the lack of classification systems, which results in detainees accused of minor offences being housed alongside those charged with murder or terrorism.
"The ineffectiveness of the public prosecution system is evident in many facilities, with no proper classification in place," Mustafa added. He further noted that 27 percent of Iraqi prisons have not been inspected by the United Nations, and none comply with international construction standards.
Mustafa raised alarm over the dire state of healthcare services in Iraqi prisons. "Clinics designed for a small number of inmates are now overwhelmed, providing services to far more than their capacity. Women's prisons face even greater challenges, with many inmates requiring hospital treatment that involves lengthy administrative delays," he said.
Health services in detention centres are particularly under-resourced, often failing to meet the needs of overcrowded facilities. Inmates with critical health conditions frequently face delays in accessing external hospital care due to procedural inefficiencies.
Structural issues
International organisations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have consistently condemned Iraq's prison conditions. HRW reports document overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and widespread abuse, with skin and infectious diseases rampant among inmates.
In 2023, Iraqi Justice Minister Khaled Shawani acknowledged that prison capacity had reached 300 percent. While plans to build new facilities were announced, little progress has been made. Critics argue that infrastructure expansion alone cannot address deeper systemic issues, such as prolonged detentions and reliance on "secret informants," which often lead to politically motivated or fabricated charges.
°®Âþµº reached out to Ahmed al-Luaibi, spokesperson for the Iraqi Justice Ministry, but he was unavailable for comment. Efforts to contact officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, responsible for overseeing reform jails, were also unsuccessful.
Executions and shadow prisons
Concerns about executions have also escalated. HRW estimates 8,000 individuals are on death row in Iraq, with reports of torture-tainted confessions and secret executions in facilities like Nasiriyah prison. Families of victims have alleged harassment and denial of funeral rites or independent autopsies.
Shadow prisons operated by security agencies further exacerbate the crisis. The Iraqi War Crimes Documentation Centre has reported thousands of detainees held in secret facilities under inhumane conditions, subjected to torture and extortion.
Prison reform remains one of Iraq's most pressing and politically sensitive challenges. Activists and rights groups stress the need for systemic changes, including addressing corruption, inefficiencies, and human rights abuses.
"Without meaningful reform, the suffering of thousands of detainees will persist, alongside the systemic risks of further human rights violations," Mustafa warned.
While the Iraqi government has pledged reforms and announced plans for modern prison facilities, tangible progress remains elusive. Rights groups continue to call for comprehensive action to address the systemic failures plaguing Iraq's detention system.