What works in prisons to prevent politically motivated crime? During the last decade, European prison services significantly improved the capacity in disengagement, de-radicalisation and resocialisation (DDR) of violent extremist or terrorist offenders (VETO’s). This work was for many years focusing on Islamic terrorism. To this day, the Islamist group of VETO’s has a significant impact on prison operations in a few European countries, requiring continuous risk assessment, treatment, pre- and post-release measures. Now we see a broader spectrum of extremism emerge, ranging from right-wing extremist movements, violent anti-government protests, involuntary celibacy, separatist, and left-wing activities. This workshop, taking place on 14-15 November 2023 in Rome, Italy, will explore the latest strategies and best practices for preventing politically motivated crime in prisons, with a particular emphasis on the challenges posed by a diverse range of extremist ideologies. Join us for two days of insightful discussions and expert-led sessions on this critical topic.

Meet a EuroPris expert – this is the motto of our new event. EuroPris, in collaboration with the Finnish Prison and Probation Service, is set to hold a roundtable of experts in Helsinki, Finland on 17-18 October 2023. The event will provide a platform for EuroPris experts and other European ICT professionals working in the prison sector to engage in an expert-level exchange on pressing issues in digitalisation in European prisons. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with EuroPris experts, and gain insights into what it takes to be a EuroPris expert. In addition, participants will visit the Hämeenlinna Smart Prison, where they will be presented with the concept of digital smart technology in prison development. This event is open to only 10 ICT professionals from Europe who meet the requirements for attendance. Don't miss the chance to be a part of this exclusive event, click on the button for more information on how to attend.

The National Correctional Officers Training School recently hosted a comprehensive training program on Hostage-Taking Situations in the Penitentiary Environment. The program, which took place from 22-26 May in Târgu Ocna, Romania, was supported by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) and EuroPris. As part of the EPTA II project, which is co-funded by the European Union's Justice Programme, the EPTA network organized several cross-border trainings in Ireland, Romania, and Croatia (to be hosted on 3-5 October). The training was designed to equip participants from various EPTA member organizations with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively handle hostage-taking situations in the penitentiary environment. We invite you to click on the button to view the training materials and learn more about this important initiative.

We are pleased to announce that the Council of Europe has published its 2022 report on Annual Prison Statistics, along with its Key Findings on Prisons and Prisoners in Europe. This year's report provides an in-depth analysis of prisons across 46 Council of Europe member states, with a participation rate of 94%. The data was collected using two independent but interrelated questionnaires agreed by the Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP) of the CoE. The report offers valuable insights into the state of prisons and prisoners in Europe, and we encourage everyone to take a look at the report by clicking on the link below. Join us in exploring the findings of this important report and learning more about the state of prisons in Europe in 2022.

Global Prison Trends 2023 is Penal Reform International’s annual flagship report, published with the Thailand Institute of Justice, examining key trends and challenges in prison systems worldwide. This 2023 edition exposes the impact of economic crises and rising costs of food, transport and energy bills on prison systems, detained persons, and their families. Two years after the adoption of the Kyoto Declaration and the UN Common Position on Incarceration, with a record 11.5 million people in prison worldwide and 120 countries operating above capacity, the report shows little progress has been made in moving away from using imprisonment as the ‘default’ response and towards improved proportionality in sentencing. Click on the button below to view the report.