The people behind the numbers: Bringing the reality of Turkish prisons to light

In late 2025, prisons in Türkiye became more visible than they had been in a long time. The 11th Judicial Package, a legislative reform that became law in December, was debated for days on television, in newspapers, and on social media. Sentencing regulations, claims of early release, and changes to the penal system were at the forefront of public discourse. However, as the debates intensified, another issue came to light: Many people discussing the same topic did not actually have the same information.

Türkiye