Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

April 9, 2020

UK: the role of online visits in supporting family contact

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Social ties United Kingdom

Following discussion with families who currently have a loved one in prison, Prison Reform Trust associate Sarah Beresford reflects on the role that allowing greater use of virtual visits could play in helping people in prison and their loved ones through the Covid-19 pandemic, and beyond. “Maybe t…

April 6, 2020

USA: prison telecom giant offers aid to prisoners - for a price

News

Coronavirus North America Social ties United States

The insidious games of the prison phone companies, masked by their generosity during the pandemic

January 1, 2020

Coronavirus: Prison Fever / 2021

News Thematic paper

Africa Coronavirus North America Central America and the Caribbean South America Asia Elderly prisoners Europe Middle East Oceania Health Mental health Material conditions Activities Social ties

The virus has not stopped at prison gates. What measures are taken to guarantee the safety of all prisoners and prison staff? What are the consequences of the pandemic on the living conditions in prisons? Here is an overview. — Update 31/12/2021

December 27, 2019

France: la prison, une épreuve aussi pour les familles (podcast)

News

Europe Justice Social ties France

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

December 11, 2019

USA: the push to rein in the $1.2bn prison phone industry

News

North America Social ties United States

Phone calls to family are vital to inmates’ morale and relationships, but many can’t afford the high rates and fees.

November 13, 2019

Mexico: condena en libertad, efectos del sistema penal en familiares

News

Central America and the Caribbean Social ties Mexico

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

October 13, 2019

UK: high-security prison opens up to visits from autistic children

News

Europe Social ties United Kingdom

Maghaberry near Belfast houses republican and loyalist paramilitaries plus life sentence murderers behind its razor-wire fences and high walls.

October 7, 2019

Madagascar: out of sight

Interview

Africa Women Material conditions Activities Social ties Madagascar

Elise Maillot is 30 years old. She has been visiting prisons for the last two years. She was in Madagascar, her home country, at the end of 2018. There, she visited the Manjakandriana prison for women. Prison Insider asked her three questions.

August 12, 2019

Zimbabwe: 19 – 25 August 2019 set aside as Prison family Week 2019

News

Africa Social ties Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe every year sets aside the Prison family Week and this year it has been set for 19 – 25 August. During this time visitors can go visit their incarcerated relatives and get to interact with them freely as family and friends. The Prison will be open from 8AM to 4PM.

August 5, 2019

USA: program for children of incarcerated mothers in jeopardy after legislature ends funding

News

Social ties United States

A program serving children with mothers in prison is in jeopardy after the Oregon Legislature ended its funding.

July 31, 2019

Egypt: mass hunger strike at Al-Aqrab prison over denial of family visits and dire conditions

News

Africa Middle East Social ties Egypt

The Egyptian authorities must immediately end cruel and inhumane detention conditions and allow regular family visits at al-Aqrab maximum security prison in Tora where approximately 130 detainees have gone on a mass hunger strike for more than six weeks, said Amnesty International today.

June 18, 2019

UK: prison review says family contact reduces reoffending by women

News

Women Social ties United Kingdom

Report finds that inmates who receive family visits are 39% less likely to break law again

June 13, 2019

Australia: Canberra's prison applied dress standards to visitors which could breach the Discrimination Act

News

Oceania Social ties Australia

The ACT Human Rights Commission is seeking clarification about the dress standards imposed on visitors at Canberra’s jail which included a ban on swimsuits, tight-fitting clothing and skirts shorter than mid-thigh.

June 12, 2019

United States: San Francisco announces plan to stop charging jail inmates for phone calls

News

North America Social ties United States

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Sheriff Vicki Hennessy on Wednesday announced plans to stop charging inmates to make phone calls from jail and to eliminate the county’s markups on items sold at the jail commissary.

May 20, 2019

Kenya: mothers in prison deserve better conditions to bring up children

News

Africa Material conditions Social ties Kenya

The Kenya Prisons Service has allowed children under four years to accompany their mothers to prison, where they are accorded relatively proper care.

April 28, 2019

Belgium: une panne d'électricité a touché la prison de Nivelles, les visites supprimées

News

Europe Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

March 18, 2019

UK: une prison œuvre pour et avec les familles

News

Europe Social ties United Kingdom

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

March 1, 2019

Turquie : les enfants sont emprisonnés avec leur mère

News

Europe Social ties Turkey

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

January 17, 2019

France: Bonneville, l’administration « désencombre » la prison au prix des liens familiaux et de la réinsertion

News

Europe Social ties France

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

January 8, 2019

France: prisonniers, au pied de la lettre

News

Europe Social ties France

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

January 8, 2019

United Kingdom: prison praised for installing photobooth for inmates and visitors

News

Europe Social ties United Kingdom

Families can use booth to take group shots as part of effort to improve visits for children.

January 7, 2019

Canada: prison drug scans for visitors potentially unreliable and keeping families apart, researcher says

News

North America Drugs Social ties Canada

Ion scanners cause stress for families of prisoners, research shows.

December 24, 2018

Belgium: les détenus pourront bientôt téléphoner pour des prix moins élevés

News

Europe Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

December 24, 2018

United Kingdom: campaigners call for landline phones in prison cells

News

Europe Social ties United Kingdom

There are calls for landline phones to be installed in prison cells in Scotland to help keep families connected.