By Michael Uugwanga
Namibia’s correctional facilities are currently housing 4,751 inmates, including 15 juveniles, all of whom are male, according to figures from the ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security.
The latest figure represents a slight increase from the 4,736 inmates recorded in 2025, with the national inmate population rising by 15 people, or approximately 0.32 percent year-on-year.
The figures were provided by the ministry in response to a request for information and include both sentenced offenders and people awaiting trial.
Of the total inmate population, 4,604 are male and 147 are female, while the 15 juveniles recorded are all male.
The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) operates 14 facilities countrywide, divided into four operational regions: central, southern, north-western and north-eastern.
The central region has the highest inmates population, with 1,800 inmates housed at the Windhoek Central Facility, Windhoek Female Correctional Facility, Gobabis, Omaruru, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay correctional facilities.
The North-Eastern Region follows with 1,444 inmates across the E-Shikongo Correctional Facility in Oshikoto, Grootfontein Correctional Facility, E-Nepembe Correctional Facility in Rundu and Divundu Correctional Facility in Kavango East.
The Southern Region has 965 inmates housed at Hardap, Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz correctional facilities. Meanwhile, the North-Western Region has the lowest inmate population, with 547 inmates at the Oluno Correctional Facility in the Ohangwena Region.
The figures come amid continued efforts by the correctional service to manage the inmate population while providing rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
The presence of juveniles within the inmate population also places renewed focus on interventions aimed at preventing youth involvement in crime and ensuring that young offenders receive appropriate rehabilitation and support.
