Our goal

Improved correctional services in line with international and European human rights standards.

Rationale for the support

Many prisons in Europe suffer from overcrowding, and quality standards across prisons vary. Improvements are needed in terms of both the material conditions in prisons and the quality of the service provision. Many offenders released from prison face challenges hindering their full integration into society. Social reintegration is a key feature of successful crime prevention strategies. This includes the development of interventions designed to break the cycle of release and reoffending.

Minimum standards of detention conditions and systems across Europe are required to protect the human rights of prisoners, strengthen mutual trust between Member States, and facilitate mutual recognition of judgments and judicial decisions.

The prohibition on torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment is enshrined in the 1984 Convention against Torture, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the 1987 European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. These instruments require that detainees are held in conditions compatible with respect for human dignity. Based on case law of the European Court of Human Rights, specific standards have been developed, such as the European Prison Rules.

The reports of the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) provide concrete and detailed recommendations to each Member State.
 

Areas of support

  • Prison conditions and treatment of prisoners and persons serving sentences in society.
  • Alternative sanctions to imprisonment.
  • Rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
  • Support to prisoners in vulnerable situations, including women and juveniles and minors.
  • Education, training and support for prison and probation services staff, including management.

How the objective will be addressed

This programme area will invest in capacity building of prison and probation services staff focusing on ethics, values, and security culture as well as on rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners. A holistic approach to safety and security culture should be encouraged, focusing on the implementation of dynamic security in balance with static and organisational security. The programme area supports improvements in legislative frameworks as well as strategy and policy developments in the field of prison and probation. Activities to strengthen National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) can be supported.

Sanctions alternative to imprisonment should be identified in close cooperation with the judiciary in the Beneficiary States. The strengthening of legal and operational instruments that will facilitate the use of alternative sanctions should be encouraged, aiming to reduce the prison populations, fostering rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, and strengthening the seamless cooperation between prison and probation services. When relevant, training for prison and probation staff in the use of alternative sanctions should be offered.

Vulnerable groups in prison, such as women, juveniles and minors, physically and mentally ill persons, persons with substance addictions, LGBTIQ+ persons, and non-nationals, suffer disproportionately compared with other prisoners. The programme area will support the provision of health services, including mental healthcare in prison. By facilitating the use of technological solutions, the programme area can increase the availability of such services and strengthen rehabilitation effectiveness. Interventions related to substance abuse and anger management, including for domestic and gender-based violence offenders, are also supported.

The funding for infrastructure, equipment and soft measures should be allocated to pilot prisons/projects.

Improvements in the infrastructure may also be supported. The size, scale and maturity of infrastructure projects shall be carefully assessed before agreement is given.

Key actors and beneficiaries

Prison and probation services and other relevant public entities are the main actors. International organisations, educational and research institutions, and civil society organisations are valued partners in supporting the changes.

Prison and probation services staff and prisoners, including women and juvenile offenders, will benefit from improved correctional services in line with international human rights.