Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

July 29, 2019

UK: Welsh speaking prison guard shortage at HMP Berwyn sparks security fears over inmates calls

News

United Kingdom

There are not enough Welsh speaking prison guards to monitor inmates phone calls at HMP Berwyn.

July 29, 2019

Australia: juvenile prison guards strip searches cause mental health problems, former inmates claim

News

Oceania Health Mental health Australia

Children as young as 10 years old are being routinely strip searched in juvenile detention in NSW with minimal or no contraband found, according to new data.

July 28, 2019

USA: these women spent years in prison.

News

Women United States

“I don’t think people understand that when they say criminal records are forever, they really are forever”

July 26, 2019

New Zealand: Invercargill prison contravened UN prison treatment rules

News

New Zealand

At risk inmates at Invercargill Prison are being forced to stay in cells without running water or toilets, while others are not receiving support for their mental health needs, the Ombudsman says.

July 26, 2019

Kenya: la malagueña que enseña meditación en las cárceles

News

Africa Kenya

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

July 26, 2019

UK: MPs investigate the ageing prison population

News

United Kingdom

The proportion of people in prison aged over 60 is expected to rise.

July 25, 2019

Cameroon : 45 blessés dans la prison de Buea

News

Africa Violence Cameroon

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

July 25, 2019

France : En prison, une canicule encore plus difficile à supporter

News

Europe France

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

July 25, 2019

USA: the world is turning against the death penalty. Trump will resume it.

News

America North America Death penalty United States

Attorney General William Barr announced Thursday that the federal government is resuming the death penalty after nearly two decades.

July 25, 2019

Ireland: evidence of wrongful surveillance by prison service staff uncovered

News

Europe Ireland

Staff exceeded remit and engaged in unacceptable practices, Minister for Justice says.

July 25, 2019

United Kingdom: one in seven prisons in England and Wales of "serious concern"

News

Europe United Kingdom

Nearly one in seven prisons in England and Wales have been judged to have a performance of “serious concern” the highest proportion since ratings began.

July 25, 2019

Uruguay: démission du directeur des prisons après l'évasion d'un mafieux italien

News

America South America Europe Uruguay

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

July 25, 2019

UK: throughcare support scheme suspended by prison service

News

Europe United Kingdom

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has suspended a scheme offering inmates extra support when leaving jail.

July 25, 2019

UK: prison overcrowding needs "immediate action", HLS warns

News

Overcrowding United Kingdom

Prison service “forced to concentrate on internal day to day operational issues” at expense of transitioning prisoners into community

July 24, 2019

Cameroon: des opposants politiques «enlevés» de la prison

News

Africa Cameroon

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

July 24, 2019

Cameroon: gunshots amid prison riot must be investigated

News

Africa Protest Violence Cameroon

Yesterday a riot was reported in Kondengui prison in Yaoundé the Cameroonian capital. According to reports, detained armed separatists from the Anglophone regions and opposition members took possession of the prison yard to denounce overcrowding, judicial delays and deplorable conditions.

July 24, 2019

United Kingdom: children will not be placed at Feltham for time being

News

Europe United Kingdom

Edward Argar announces temporary ban due to rising levels of violence at young offender institution.

July 24, 2019

UK: Feltham youth jail warned by prisons watchdog over ‘extraordinary’ decline in safety

News

Europe United Kingdom

In unprecedented move, chief inspectorate invokes rarely-used urgent notification process on Feltham A young offender institution (YOI) after ‘disturbing’ inspection findings including surge in violence and self-harm

July 23, 2019

Bosnia and Herzegovina: first state prison to open after 13-year wait

News

Europe Facilities Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia’s Justice Minister Josip Grubesa announced that the country’s long-delayed first state-level prison will open next month 13 years after the foundation stone was laid.

July 23, 2019

United Kingdom: police must offer women detainees period products under new rules

News

Women Europe United Kingdom

Police in England and Wales must offer female detainees free sanitary products in case they are on their period while in custody, under new legislation.

July 23, 2019

France : Aux Baumettes, l’administration ferme les fenêtres, les détenues trinquent

News

Europe France

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

July 22, 2019

Philippines: 'Worse than prison': Abuses in Philippine youth homes

News

Asia Minors Drugs Violence Philippines

Officially called “Houses of Hope”, proponents in the Philippines say such facilities are places for reformation and education, but critics slam many of them as “hellholes” where children are treated like caged animals.

July 22, 2019

Ecuador: mejorar la alimentación en las cárceles sigue siendo un pendiente

News

America Central America and the Caribbean Ecuador

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

July 21, 2019

UK: surge in youth prison violence sparks call to close institutions

News

Violence United Kingdom

Government accused of failing to address crisis after big rise in assaults on staff and inmates