Swiss prisons are facing severe overcrowding, particularly in the Bern region where inmates now share spaces more closely than before. The Bern Regional Parliament recently rejected plans for additional container facilities, pushing officials to repurpose workspaces into prison cells, leading to higher tension among inmates. Current statistics show occupancy rates well above intended levels, with Bern prison housing 150 inmates instead of the target of 107. The situation is exacerbated by a backlog in processing fines, which has delayed the transfer of individuals to alternative custody. Despite challenges, officials assure that inmate safety remains a priority.