In accordance with the order “On Penitentiary Facilities,” the maximum limit for placing accused/convicted individuals in the penitentiary facilities of the Special Penitentiary Service is 12,332 accused/convicted individuals. As of October 13, 2025, a total of 10,528 accused/convicted individuals are placed in the penitentiary facilities of the Special Penitentiary Service, the Special Penitentiary Service responded to the information disseminated by Giorgi Burjanadze, former deputy of the Public Defender, regarding the increase in the number of accused/convicted individuals in the Special Penitentiary Service’s penitentiary facilities.
According to the agency, the information disseminated by Giorgi Burjanadze, former deputy of the Public Defender, does not correspond to reality, aims to mislead the public, and represents an attempt to provide incorrect interpretation of the existing reality.
“Over the last 10 years, the average number of accused/convicted individuals placed in penitentiary facilities has changed insignificantly; for example, the total number of accused/convicted individuals in September 2024 was 10,457, while the analogous data for 2025 is 10,445.
It is also noteworthy that in several penitentiary facilities, it is possible to place more accused/convicted individuals than the aforementioned limit established by the order without worsening their legal status, in full compliance with legislative requirements.
The number of persons placed in two penitentiary facilities slightly exceeds the number established by the order. In September 2025, a total of 617 accused/convicted individuals were transferred from receiving penitentiary facilities to various other penitentiary facilities, of which 137 were transferred to closed-type facilities and 480 to semi-open type facilities.
The Special Penitentiary Service once again calls on any individual to refrain from disseminating information of this kind, which aims to provide the public with incorrect information and discredit the activities of the Special Penitentiary Service,” the statement reads.
For reference, according to a statement disseminated by Giorgi Burjanadze, former deputy of the Public Defender, on social media, there have not been this many prisoners in prison since 2015.
“In 2025, from January to August, the total number of prisoners in Georgia has increased by 1,532! In 8 months, the prison population has grown by 17%. More than 100 women and 1,432 men are in prison for various crimes in the last 8 months,” stated Giorgi Burjanadze.
Special Penitentiary Service: Information on increase in number of accused/convicted individuals does not correspond to reality – 10,528 accused/convicted individuals are placed in penitentiary facilities
