Luxembourg is experiencing a stark rise in its prison population, standing out among its European neighbours for the scale of the increase. According to Serge Legil, Director of the Prison Administration, figures from the Council of Europe show that between 2024 and 2025, the incarceration rate in the Grand Duchy rose by around 20%, one of the highest in Europe. Over the course of last year, the number of detainees across all three prisons, including men, women, and minors, rose from 737 to 851.
He attributed this sharp growth to several factors, noting that the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic had temporarily suppressed numbers. The upward trend, he stressed, is not unique to Luxembourg but part of a continent-wide phenomenon, although the country’s figures are especially pronounced.
When asked whether the increase reflected a rise in crime, Legil said that prisons are a direct reflection of society, which is complex and multi-faceted, with factors like wars, migratory flows and economic changes all playing a role. The profile of detainees is also changing with, for instance, the number of elderly detainees increasing. According to Legil, the increase is driven by both a rise in crime, including new forms such as cybercrime and drug-related offences, and enhanced law enforcement capacity.
A striking feature of Luxembourg’s prison population, recently highlighted by the Council of Europe, is that 78% of inmates are foreign nationals, reportedly the highest share in Europe among countries with over 500,000 inhabitants. Legil traced this to the country’s geographical position at the heart of Europe, with many routes passing through it. He explained that many detainees have no real connection to Luxembourg but are caught here as drug couriers or involved in other criminal activities simply because they passed through.
Asked which nationalities are most represented, Legil replied that the majority are Portuguese and French nationals, noting that there is a notable increase from Maghreb countries as well. However, he cautioned against making simplistic links between nationality and crime type, as the phenomenon is more complex and not limited to one group.
The rising number of detainees is placing mounting pressure on Luxembourg’s prison infrastructure and staff. Legil stated that, for now, the system is coping, but warned that further increases could undermine ongoing reforms. A major prison reform was introduced in 2018, which aimed to give detainees the best opportunities to use their time meaningfully, so they can integrate into society afterwards.
This approach, focused on social reintegration, is designed to make life inside resemble life outside as much as possible, but requires space and resources. Legil warned that overcrowding might force the use of double cells, undermining the reform’s principles for longer-term prisoners. Nevertheless, he emphasised that public order remains protected and the prison can take in more inmates if needed.
The rise in violence within prisons has alarmed unions representing prison staff, with a recent incident involving a guard being attacked and seriously injured with a porcelain plate. Legil expressed strong staff support, emphasising that it is absolutely unacceptable for any member of staff to suffer physical or psychological harm just for doing their job, insisting that all possible measures must be taken to prevent such incidents.
However, he argued that simply increasing the number of staff would not alone solve the problem because there is no direct or proportional link between the number of detainees and guardians. Instead, the changing inmate profiles and cultural diversity require additional staff training, particularly in intercultural understanding and resilience.
Addressing the long-term staffing remains an issue, with a significant number of employees on long-term sick leave or pending retirement, complicating recruitment and replacement. In the short term, he pointed to measures such as opening additional prison blocks as one way to relieve pressure.
