In our fast-paced digital age, technology has revolutionised daily life. This evolution calls for the integration of digital innovation into prison and probation services, aiding successful reintegration into our digital society. Corrections face unique challenges – the demand for professionalism, personalised approaches, and re-entry readiness in a digital world. While technology offers solutions, it must respect security, public safety, and adapt to societal shifts like radicalisation and cybercrime, all within budget constraints.

We're thrilled to announce that registration for the fifth Technology in Corrections Conference (TIC) - 'Digital Rehabilitation', hosted by Türkiye's General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, from April 21-24, 2024 is now open! Register soon to secure early bird tickets.

We are also happy to share with you that the registration for the inaugural Innovative Prisons Infrastructure Conference (IPIC) in Istanbul from April 24 - 26, 2024 is also open.

IPIC, hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses in partnership with EuroPris and the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), brings together experts to explore how modern design can drive change. Connect, share insights, and network with professionals leading innovative design solutions for today's correctional challenges. Register soon to secure early bird tickets.

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 13th Annual General Meeting of EuroPris, scheduled for the 26 June, 2024 in the vibrant city of Sofia, Bulgaria. This event serves as a pivotal moment for EuroPris members to convene, exchange insights, and strengthen collaborative efforts. Stay tuned for forthcoming details regarding the agenda, speakers, and venue. Additionally, we are excited to share that the winners of this year's Prison Achievement Award will be revealed during the event.

In this month's Human Rights Spotlight article, Dr. Róisín Mulgrew discusses the complex and critical topic of solitary confinement in prisons. Solitary confinement, often employed for safety and security, has raised profound questions and concerns. Discover how research has unveiled the adverse effects on the physical and mental well-being of inmates and explore the evolving international standards on this matter.

Click below to read more about the importance of 'meaningful human contact' and the recent developments in prison standards.

In our recent Human Rights Webinar held on October 19, we had the privilege of hosting an esteemed panel of experts. We were joined by Laura von Mandach from the Swiss Centre of Expertise in Prison and Probation, Jean-Sébastien Blanc, formerly with the Swiss Center of Expertise in Prison and Probation (SCEPP) and now a research associate at the University of Geneva, Dirk van Zyl Smit, Emeritus Professor of the University of Nottingham and the University of Cape Town, and Sonja Snacken, Emeritus Professor of Criminology, Penology, and Sociology of Law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The focus of this insightful webinar was on addressing critical issues concerning LGBTIQ prisoners, solitary confinement, and human dignity within correctional systems. By tackling these pressing matters, we aim to further the cause of human rights in prison settings, working towards more humane and effective correctional systems that respect the inherent dignity of every individual.

This guide is for trainers conducting 4-day, in-person courses for prison staff, created by OSCE's ODIHR, Penal Reform International (PRI), Swedish Prison and Probation Service (SPPS), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is an online resource for Nelson Mandela Rules training, supplementing existing programs. The course focuses on minimum standards without inhibiting higher standards in prison management. It also references the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and the Bangkok Rules. The manual includes presentations, exercises, guidance, and background information for trainers.

On 14 September, the 7th edition of the global football event known as 'Football Works' unfolded in the Netherlands. In collaboration with the Veenhuizen Penitentiary Institution (PI) and 'Work Through Sport,' a project under Ex-Made DJI (Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency), the EFDN put together a day brimming with enjoyable activities complemented by the engaging narratives of four distinct speakers. Football Works represents a tournament open to football clubs and correctional facilities from across Europe, all committed to using sports as a means of guiding former inmates towards employment opportunities. In this edition, 14 teams, including several prisons from the Netherlands participated. There were also teams from abroad that were part of the European Erasmus+ project.