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Central America and the Caribbean
Justice
Overcrowding
El Salvador
El Salvador has imprisoned 1.6% of its 6.3 million citizens. That gives it an incarceration rate triple that of the US and more than double that of Cuba.
South America
Women
Material conditions
Colombia
“The system is failing women, with often devastating impacts on our families, mental or reproductive health. But those who have been inside can change it for the better – if we are allowed.”
Africa
Women
Facilities
Rehabilitation
Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean government in 2021 opened Marondera, its first open prison for women, giving a chance for qualified prisoners to spend time with their families while serving their sentences.
Canada: close to ordinary violence
Testimonial
North America
Mental health
Violence
Social ties
Canada
Olivia* supports a close schizophrenic friend through his life sentence. She recounts the time spent helping him and understanding his illness. She reveals the shortcomings of the penal system as well as the violence perpetrated by prison staff.
Panama: fighting for my life
Testimonial
Central America and the Caribbean
Women
Health
Material conditions
Social ties
Panama
Yonta J. was incarcerated in a Panamanian prison for three years, from March 2015 to January 2018. She faced hardships that still impact her life today. This is the story of her daily life in prison.
Europe
Mental health
Suicide
United Kingdom
Inquests flag up gaps in the care of prisoners in relation to at least nine deaths in custody since 2021.
Europe
Long-term prisoners
Mental health
Suicide
United Kingdom
Nine self-inflicted deaths of prisoners serving IPP sentences in 2022 was highest number since controversial introduction.
Europe
Material conditions
United Kingdom
Urgent action has been demanded over conditions at Wakefield’s high-security jail
North America
Minors
Material conditions
United States
Children, some as young as 15, incarcerated at notorious Angola prison, which has reputation for brutality and violence.
North America
Discipline
Material conditions
United States
A prison in the US state of Minnesota was placed into lockdown on Sunday after dozens of inmates refused to return to their cells.
Middle East
Material conditions
Protest
Bahrain
The suspension of the strike comes before the crown prince’s visit to the United States, and as Bahrain vows to improve conditions.
Belgium: intersecting approaches
Interview
Europe
Material conditions
Facilities
Rehabilitation
Belgium
Hoogstraten Penitentiary School Centre (PSC) is an open prison operating in a 19th century castle. Kortrijk detention house is a small-scale facility located in an urban environment. Prison Insider examines their similarities and differences.
Can prisons be changed?
Interview
Europe
Discipline
Material conditions
Respect modules, an approach that originated in Spain, and dynamic security approaches aim to improve relationships in prison settings. However, their implementation encounters certain limitations. Valérie Icard, an associate researcher at CESDIP, focuses on these questions. Interview.
Women
Social ties
Rehabilitation
Canada
Women prisoners encounter more difficulties than their male counterparts when it comes to maintaining ties with family and friends. What kind of problems do these women face? What can be done to help them? An interview with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Quebec.
Outward Bond
Analysis
Thematic paper
North America
Europe
Social ties
Rehabilitation
Maintaining relationships is often seen more as a means than an end: its status as a basic human right has been erased, and instead the prison service has assigned it a role in reintegration. What are the consequences for prisoners and for their loved ones?