Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

September 20, 2022

Suisse : 60 détenus de Champ-Dollon signent une pétition

News

Europe Justice Switzerland

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

September 5, 2022

España: el déficit de médicos en las cárceles se agudiza: menos de 200 sanitarios para 55.000 presos

News

Europe Health Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

September 5, 2022

España: el caos se apodera de las prisiones vascas desde que las gestiona el gobierno de Vitoria

News

Europe Justice Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

September 5, 2022

Suisse : un collectif dénonce les conditions de vie dans les prisons genevoises

News

Europe Material conditions Switzerland

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

July 12, 2022

España: la sanidad privada entra en cinco cárceles por la falta de médicos penitenciarios

News

Europe Health Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

July 4, 2022

Denmark: on behalf of prisoners

Interview

Coronavirus Europe Access to legal rights Denmark

Henrick used to be a spokesperson in a Danish prison. How are the spokespersons elected? What value do they bring to the prisons and to the prisoners? He shared his views and experience with us. Interview.

June 28, 2022

España: Acaip afirma que la cárcel de Picassent está "al borde de la saturación"

News

Europe Overcrowding Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

June 28, 2022

España: contenciones mecánicas en las cárceles catalanas

News

Europe Torture Violence Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

June 27, 2022

France: Concertina, the second edition uses escapes as its theme

Interview

Culture Europe Justice France

How can we talk about imprisonment at convivial summer gatherings? That is the challenge of Concertina, the annual event that brings together people from near and far to discuss the many issues raised by freedom deprivation. Interview.

June 15, 2022

España: varapalo del Constitucional a las cárceles por no investigar malos tratos a los presos

News

Europe Violence Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

June 8, 2022

France: psychiatry and prison, on the edge

Interview

Europe Mental health France

There are many people who suffer from mental disorders in detention. The prison seems to have adapted to this situation and is trying to improve its care. At what price? Interview.

June 8, 2022

France: everyday madness

Testimonial

Europe Mental health Drugs Facilities Suicide France

Like at many other facilities, no two days are the same at the Baumettes Regional Mental Health Department for Prisons (Marseille). Eric Kania has been a psychiatrist there for over 20 years. He told us about his day-to-day.

June 2, 2022

España: Interior reabrirá las piscinas tras dos años de pandemia

News

Europe Activities Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

May 31, 2022

Netherlands: prison guard arrested for abusing at least three female detainees

News

Women Europe Violence Netherlands

A 47-year-old prison guard has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing at least three female prisoners in Nieuwersluis jail.

May 24, 2022

"These two photos were my first introduction to prison life"

Insights Focus

Europe Material conditions Facilities France

“I had barely taken a step inside when a rat jumped out of the toilet bowl and landed on my feet…” Thierry Chantegret is a photographer. He joined, in 2021, the team of the Controller-General for Places of Deprivation of Liberty (CGLPL). He comments, for Prison Insider, two of his photos.

May 24, 2022

France: "There is a good amount of wandering around in my line of work"

Interview

Europe Material conditions Facilities Overcrowding France

Thierry Chantegret is a photographer with the French National Preventive Mechanism team. He spoke with us about the role of photography, his approach, and how he gets down to the facts.

May 24, 2022

France: the holy month in prison

Testimonial

Europe Religion France

What is Ramadan like behind bars? Mohamed-Iqbal Zaidouni, the regional Muslim Chaplain at Rennes prison tells us all about it.

May 19, 2022

España : Literatura de evasión: qué leen los presos en las cárceles españolas

News

Europe Activities Spain

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

May 18, 2022

France: in search of meaning

Testimonial

Women Europe Activities Social ties Religion France

Sakina is a Muslim chaplain in prison. She guides female prisoners in their religious practice. Ramadan, daily organiszation, work on self-esteem… She tells us all about it

May 5, 2022

Ukraine: “prisons are left on their own”

Interview

Crises Europe Material conditions Facilities Violence Social ties Ukraine

Information about prison is not easily accessible, even less during the war. Prison Insider is seeking to update its information about Ukrainian prisons.

April 21, 2022

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee visits Poland

News

Europe Justice Material conditions Facilities Poland

A delegation of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Poland from 21 March to 1 April 2022. It was the Committee’s seventh periodic visit to this country.

April 14, 2022

Spain: walling up madness

Analysis

Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Mental health Drugs Material conditions Spain

There are 17 autonomous communities in Spain. Criminal legislation applies to the entire country. The Catalonia region is responsible for managing its own prisons. Thus, two different government administrations oversee the penitentiary system.

April 14, 2022

Italy: walling up madness

Analysis

Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Mental health Drugs Material conditions Italy

The Ministry of Justice oversees the prison system. The organisation of health care in prisons has been the responsibility of the National Health System (Servizio sanitario nazionale, SNS) since 2008. There are many prisoners with mental health problems.

April 14, 2022

Belgium: walling up madness

Analysis

Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Mental health Drugs Material conditions Belgium

Belgium is a federal state. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for prison administration and prison healthcare. People suffering from mental illness who commit a crime are subject to a psychiatric assessment.