EuroPris - The European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services

Last week, on 20–21 November, EuroPris participated in the Swiss Forum on Foreign Nationals in Prison, themed “Foreign Nationals in Prison – Lost in Translation?” This pan-European event brought together experts and researchers from diverse backgrounds to share insights and best practices. The EuroPris/CEP FNPP Expert Group was represented by Coordinator Petra Pavlas and Chair Daniel Danglades, who delivered key presentations. With 16 workshops and numerous presentations, the Forum explored critical issues, including care, post-exit preparation, and the rehabilitation of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs). Experts from both practice and research focused on three key topics: 🔹 Return orientation – implementation, possibilities, and limits 🔹 Transculturalism and mental health – competencies and approaches 🔹 Working in multicultural environments – tasks and challenges Petra highlighted the importance of Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)12 and the need for both equal and individualised treatment of foreign nationals. She pointed out the importance of training prison staff, probation officers, and judges on the dynamic and ever-changing issue of FNOs in prison; improving optimal rehabilitation. Daniel presented his conclusions expanding his perceptions in a panel discussion, emphasising that "having a perspective is essential for foreign nationals in prison. It gives hope. Whether that perspective is in your country of origin or in the country where you are imprisoned". An important focus on multi-agency approaches both local and international cooperation is essential for successful rehabilitation. We’re pleased to hear that Petra and Daniel appreciated the opportunity to explore the Swiss prison system, gaining valuable insights into the challenges posed by the varied legal frameworks across different cantons while sharing their expertise and experiences with participants at the European level. Thanks to our colleagues at the Swiss Competence Center of Expertise for Prison and Probation (SKJV / CSCSP)!

The EuroPris Real Estate & Logistics Expert Group has met last month in Croatia, Zagreb - warmly welcomed by the Minister of Justice Damir Habijan and Director General for the Prison System and Probation Zvonimir Penić, who assessed Croatia's involvement in EuroPris as highly beneficial, as it offers a valuable professional and comparative framework for developing modernisation initiatives and measures for their prison system. Hence, Croatia has sent three experts in different EuroPris expert groups. It was an opportunity at this Real Estate Expert Group meeting to discuss overlaps with other groups like the ICT Expert Group Marjan Lukavečki and the Staff Wellbeing Expert Group Iva Prskalo.   The delegation of EuroPris Real Estate experts led by EuroPris Deputy Director Justina Dzienko evaluated the Sustainability in Prisons Workshop in York. A field visit to the Women's Prison in Požega was a tremendous example for retrofitting old prison buildings. The concept of the rebuilt small detention houses in a village environment was a highlight. The positive impact on prisoners was visible, the 10 European experts acknowledged Croatia's commitment to modernisation, highlighting the key areas of energy efficiency, overcrowding reduction, rehabilitation, and the work opportunities for incarcerated women. Special thanks to the Real Estate experts: Chair Tony McDonnell , Lee Edney, Mark McGoldrick, Dirk Becker, Miguel Ardiaca, Eric Besson, Jesper Dyreborg, Alessandro Pastina, and Enes Sedic. Gratitude’s to the hosts the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of Croatia (Ministarstvo pravosuđa, uprave i digitalne transformacije): https://lnkd.in/ez8Yqdm3 

🔄 Call for Papers: Correctional Research Symposium 2025 EuroPris and ICPA are calling for researchers and practitioners to submit papers for the 4th CRS, themed "From Individual to Ecosystem: Sharing Research that Matters for Corrections." Join us in exploring rehabilitation through individual, community, and organisational lenses. 📅 Share your insights now!

🌍 Key Takeaways from the Sustainability in Prisons Workshop If you missed the workshop or want a refresher, the full report is now available. It covers practical approaches to integrating sustainability within prison environments, with contributions from industry leaders and relevant case studies. 📸 Scroll through the images for a preview of the report, showcasing a few selected pages. 📥 Access the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dvTRZhEz

On 24 October 2024, we hosted a comprehensive online training session under the EPTA presidency of Georgia, focused on Freedom of Religion and Expression in Prisons. Led by Nana Mchedlidze from the Training Center of Justice of Georgia, this session delved into key principles from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Participants explored topics impacting both prisoners and prison staff, including the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and expression, and the careful balance between rehabilitation and security. Additionally, we discussed the right to reputation for prison personnel—an essential aspect given the dynamic environment of prison systems. A big thank you to all who participated and engaged in these important discussions! 

🌍 We are happy to share that EuroPris' Deputy Director Justina Dzienko and Programme Content and Training Manager Christy G. attended the Seminar on Medical Matters in Detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague! This event gathered experts to discuss key themes in detention healthcare, including professional independence, patient autonomy, and medical ethics. The seminar provided a platform for medical professionals, legal advisors, human rights lawyers, and prison professionals to share experiences and exchange views on critical medical issues in detention. With insights from specialists at the International Committee of the Red Cross, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, and the African Correctional Healthcare Professionals Network, this seminar emphasised the significance of enhancing standards in prison healthcare. Many thanks to the ICC for making this event possible!

🔹 Day 2 Highlights: Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation (FNPP) Workshop Day 2 featured an engaging World Café exercise facilitated by Osman Nazir (England & Wales), Elena Fiorini (Italy), Leslie Alcock (Ireland), and David Redhouse (England & Wales). Participants shared insights on supporting specific foreign national offender cases, highlighting shared challenges as well as the impact of local contexts and national jurisdictions on available resources and options. Participants also explored Framework Decisions FD 909/FD 947, with presentations from Luisa Ravagnani (Italy), Esther Montero Pérez de Tudela (Spain), Popa Bogdan (Romania), and Torben Adams (Germany, Bremen), offering valuable perspectives on European practices in supporting foreign national offenders. Thank you to all contributors for fostering productive day! Most importantly, thank you to all participants for their active engagement and sharing their expertise. A special thanks to today’s excellent moderator, Daniel Danglades, for guiding us through these discussions. This workshop was jointly organised by CEP Probation & EuroPris - The European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services.

Day 1 Highlights: Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation (FNPP) Workshop Workshop participants were warmly welcomed in Vienna by: ✅ Dr Christian Schnattler (Head of the Austrian Directorate General's Department for Legal and International Affairs) ✅ Alfred Kohlberger (Director, Neustart, Austria) ✅ Gustav Tallving (Executive Director, EuroPris) ✅ Jana Spero Kamenjarin (Secretary General, CEP) Petra Pavlas, the Coordinator of the CEP Probation/EuroPris FNPP Expert Group, provided an overview of the group’s past and upcoming work, noting, “One country’s foreign national prisoner is another country’s citizen imprisoned abroad.” This perspective underscored the challenges faced by Foreign National Prisoners (FNPs). Esther Montero Pérez de Tudela from Spain added, “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel; we just have to see how we make it work.” 💬 A key discussion on "Imprisoned Abroad – The Dual Perspective in Our Work with FNOs" included insights from Marco Brok (Reclassering Nederland), Christopher Stacey (Prisoners Abroad, UK), and Leslie Alcock (Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas). The conversation addressed facilitating international collaboration on FNP concerns, practical challenges, the importance of support for transferred individuals, differing treatment of FNPs versus national prisoners, and effective risk management. Discussions explored practical challenges in supporting nationals imprisoned abroad and reviewed the Council of Europe’s Recommendations for Foreign Offenders. 📚 Important resources highlighted: Help Course - Managing Foreign National Prisoners E-Learning Module by Ana-Maria Telbis (CoE), and Femke van der Meulen’s Picture it in Prison, aimed at overcoming language barriers. In groups, participants reviewed the Council of Europe’s Recommendations for Foreign Offenders. 🌍 Good practices were shared by: - Bogdan Popa from Romania on international probation procedures - Osman Nazir on the FNO Coordination Hub - Matthias Morgner on the significance of community interpreting within the prison system. 🔗 The day was skillfully moderated by Torben Adams, FNPP Expert Group member. Thank you to all for an engaging first day. Looking forward to Day 2!

“It is not easy to focus with prison staff on those who are last. Let's break down stereotypes and see people as people, not just as offenders. Transformation is possible, even in the difficult and dark situations of life. That's what this film festival is about.” 🎥 These words were spoken during the XII International Prison Movie Festival in Olsztyn, Poland, attended by EuroPris Deputy Director, Justina Dzienko. Films in various categories (rehabilitation, reportage, professional, amateur etc) were awarded: • A Norwegian documentary about a prison radio station (“Mina & the Radio Bandits”). • An animation shortcut film made by a prisoner about the production of bird feeders in a prison workshop (“Feeder”). • An Italian documentary about Naples gangs and their mothers (“La Madre”). • A film about a polish prisoner on his journey with his brother and a guitar to a music casting show during his 24 hour detention leave (“The Furlough”). • An Iranian film about the fears of two prisoner's on death row (“The Wall”).  • A Polish film about a prisoner in his cell experiencing changing prison mates, trying to find himself in the prison reality and a spiritual development (“Buddha’s Ahstray”).   Read more about the annual festival: https://lnkd.in/eXAYCbtV

Drug use and traffic in European prisons continue to be a growing challenge, impacting both security and rehabilitation efforts. With the increasing prevalence of drug-related issues, European prison services are stepping up to address this problem. 💡 EuroPris, in partnership with the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), recently hosted the webinar “Drugs in Prisons: A Security Lens on Trends, Technology, and Rehabilitation.” The event provided a look into how European prisons are navigating the complex relationship between drug use, security, and prisoner rehabilitation. We were delighted to have 133 participants from 33 countries, representing a diverse mix of prisons, inspection bodies, academia, NGOs, and the private sector, come together to discuss trends, innovations in drug detection technology, and strategies for safer and more rehabilitative prison environments. 🙏 A special thank you to our speakers Linda Montanari, Sara Van Malderen and panellists Angel Vicente Lopez Muriel and Tuomas Hanhikangas for sharing their expertise, and to EUDA for their support in this vital area. If you missed the live session, the recording is now available on our website to watch: https://lnkd.in/e58f6Mkf