The different standards still in place within various Member States of the EU when it comes to detention conditions, prison management and supervision, as well as alternatives to detention, make it apparent that there is a need for an exchange of best practice and experience in the field between various actors, so as to facilitate a more coherent European approach in the matter, as envisaged by the Commission’s Green Paper and the European Parliament’s aim of standardising legislation on detention related matters throughout the EU. The needs this project therefore addresses are those of greater cooperation, understanding and exchange of information on a European level of matters relating to detention and improving conditions. The setting of training seminars provides an ideal platform for this, where the need for better detention standards, alternatives to imprisonment, the rehabilitation of offenders, the proper implementation of relevant EU framework decisions in the field and better cooperation between prison monitoring bodies can be discussed, analysed and effective ways forward realised.
The project consists of three seminars that will be implemented in two different European cities, Strasbourg (France) and Trier (Germany).
Overall objective:
The project aims to provide practical training to a broad spectrum of legal professionals and practitioners in the field of detention through three seminars, two in Strasbourg, the seat of the ECtHR and its legislation in the area of detention and the Council of Europe and its standards in the field of detention. Each seminar will group participants from Member States, EEA and Candidate Countries, in order to allow for an optimal exchange of national and European experiences and to enhance networking possibilities. This pragmatic approach, consisting of presentations and workshops (where deemed appropriate), allowing for an exchange of ideas and good practice between practitioners and international and European organisations, presents an added value. It allows for an analysis of issues and improving conditions, amongst others for juveniles and asylum seekers and identifying good practices in prison management and how best to deal with offenders’ rehabilitation, as well as looking at alternatives to imprisonment. As outlined, the project will address dealing with issues of mutual trust and recognition; detention conditions; good practices in prison management, coordination among the different prison monitoring bodies, by inviting all of the relevant actors to present and participate at the seminars, and by providing a platform to discuss the effective follow-up of the Commission’s Green Paper on detention.
The target groups of the project are all judicial practitioners, prison administrators, persons from the probation system and prison monitoring bodies. An effective cooperation and coordination, as well as an understanding of and learning about each others work and issues faced in relation to detention, can only be realised if all of these target groups come together to openly discuss and debate matters of mutual interest and concern. This opportunity is offered by this series of training seminars.
The mix of practitioners will further the exchange of experiences, know-how and best practice among them and improve their level of knowledge. It will improve networking between individuals working in the area and build on strengthening mutual trust and mutual recognition, as outlined in the European Commission’s Green Paper. A practical approach is offered through workshop sessions and video material, stimulating discussion on improving conditions. Moreover, the unique opportunity of being able to discuss and analyse related issues with experts from the ECtHR, CPT, SPT and OHCHR adds to the innovative nature of this project.
Objectives:
1.Raise awareness of issues surrounding detention, improving conditions and alternatives to it.
2. Improve application of relevant instruments due to real-time training.
3.Enhance knowledge and better understanding of European Court of Human Rights’ case-law and the European Prison Rules.
4.Allow for an exchange of best practice and experiences in matters relation to detention, improving conditions and alternatives to it.
5.Strengthen mutual trust and networking between judicial authorities and practitioners in the field, as well as prison administrations and prison monitoring bodies throughout the EU, EEA and Candidate Countries.
The project aims at training 150 practitioners (legal ones, prison administrators, persons from the probation system and prison monitoring bodies) from all EU Member States, EEA and Candidate Countries in the field of improving conditions and finding alternatives related to detention. Moreover, all interested practitioners can benefit from the dedicated sub-site integrated into ERA’s website, which will contain the complete background documentation from the seminars, written forms of the speakers’ presentations, as well as selected audio and video podcasts of the presentations. Consequently, the project meets the target group indicated under the priorities of the call in relation to detention and will improve the application of European standards in the area.
At the end of the project, participants will have improved their knowledge of the application of relevant instruments, i.e. of mutual recognition of judicial decisions, framework decisions on transfer of prisoners, etc. and the European Supervision Order, in order to put them into more effective use; become more aware of issues surrounding detention, improving conditions and finding alternatives to it; have a better understanding and enhanced knowledge of European Court of Human Rights’ case-law in the field, it’s relevance to their work, as well as the European Prison Rules; have exchanged best practice and experience in matters relating to detention, improving conditions and alternatives to it; have been able to network between judicial authorities and practitioners in the field, as well as prison administrations and prison monitoring bodies thoughout the EU, EEA and Candidate Countries. This will also be beneficial towards following-up on the Commission’s Green Paper on detention in the EU, which the constructive dialogue and fruitful exchange of experiences set out above will achieve.
Fair Trials International (FTI), Council of Europe, European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services (EuroPris), European Judicial Training Network (EJTN), International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO), Spanish Ombudsman, Polish Human Rights Defender, German National Agency for the Prevention of Torture.