The prison population in the United Kingdom has grown significantly over the long term. Since 1900, the prison population in England and Wales has quadrupled, rising from just over 17,400 to around 87,300 in 2024, which is the highest level recorded during this period.
Long-Term Growth in England and Wales
Although the adult population of England and Wales has more than doubled since 1900, the prison population has grown even faster. This means that the imprisonment rate, relative to the population, has increased over time.
Up until 2015, the prison population in the UK generally continued to grow, with especially sharp increases during the mid-1990s and the 2000s. After that, the trend became more stable, and in some parts of the UK prison numbers started to fall before the pandemic.
Recent Changes
During the most recent decade, the prison population fell temporarily, partly because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, since 2023, the prison population in England and Wales has risen above pre-pandemic levels.
In calendar year 2024, the average annual prison population in England and Wales was around 87,300 people. This was equal to approximately 170 prisoners per 100,000 people aged 15 and over in the general population.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Scotland, the average annual prison population was around 8,200. This was equivalent to 177 prisoners per 100,000 people aged 15 and over.
In Northern Ireland, the prison population was around 1,900 in financial year 2024/25. This was equal to 124 prisoners per 100,000 people aged 15 and over.
Differences in Time Periods
The prison population data for the countries of the UK does not match exactly by reporting period. England and Wales publish figures on a calendar year basis, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have published on a financial year basis since 2014. This means the time periods overlap, but are not identical.
For simplicity, UK-wide overviews often describe the data using the England and Wales calendar year basis.
Overall UK Trend
Across the UK, the prison population increased steadily for much of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century. The fastest growth took place in the mid-1990s and the 2000s. Although prison numbers later levelled off and temporarily declined during the pandemic period, the latest average annual figures for each UK country are the highest recorded since 1900.
Summary
The prison population in the UK remains historically high. England and Wales had an average annual prison population of around 87,300 in 2024, Scotland around 8,200, and Northern Ireland around 1,900. Over the long term, prison numbers have grown faster than the adult population, showing that the imprisonment rate has also increased.