Germany's foreign nationals comprise 45% of prison population

Data released in March 2026 show that 27,000 foreign‑national inmates were held in German prisons, representing 44.8 % of the total 60,408 detainees (including pre‑trial custody). The share is highest in the city‑states, with 58.9 % of prisoners in Berlin and 57.95 % in Hamburg lacking German citizenship. In the states of Bavaria, Baden‑Württemberg and Hesse the foreign‑national share exceeds 50 %, while in eastern states such as Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, Saxony‑Anhalt and Thuringia it falls to about one quarter.

The federal prison staff union (BSBD) warned that language barriers are hampering resocialisation efforts, increasing the risk of violence and the formation of isolated groups. Union chair René Müller said, “The language barriers are a big problem” and stressed that “We need urgently more staff to monitor situations and separate groups when necessary.” The figures are notable because foreign nationals account for roughly 15 % of Germany’s resident population, far below their share of the incarcerated population.