Mexico sees surge in inmates held without sentencing

According to INEGI data, 42.2% of Mexico’s prison population was without a final sentence at the end of 2025, meaning roughly one in two detainees does not know whether they are guilty or innocent. The number of unsentenced prisoners rose sharply, from 36.3% in 2024 to 42.2% a year later, totaling 97,722 people.

Women are disproportionately affected, with 50% of female inmates lacking a sentence, while 41.5% of male detainees face the same situation. In several states, notably Estado de México and Michoacán, 100% of those without sentencing are under preventive detention, a form of punishment without trial. Overcrowding remains severe, with 231,000 inmates housed in 2025 and state facilities holding a higher share of unsentenced prisoners (43.6%) than federal ones (27.9%). The data highlights a systemic collapse of Mexico’s lower‑court justice system, affecting minor crimes, local disputes and causing prolonged pre‑trial detention.