Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

March 18, 2021

Spain: managing uncertainty

Analysis

Coronavirus Europe Health Material conditions Protest Activities Social ties Spain

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the Spanish authorities respond to the crisis behind the bars? Were prison authorities prepared to avoid the spread of the virus? Which measures were taken and how did them impact prisoners’ lives?

March 18, 2021

South Africa: managing uncertainty

Analysis

Africa Coronavirus Health Material conditions Protest Overcrowding Activities Social ties South Africa

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the South African authorities respond to the crisis behind the bars? Were prison authorities prepared to avoid the spread of the virus? Which measures were taken and how did them impact prisoners’ lives?

March 18, 2021

Thailand: managing uncertainty

Analysis

Coronavirus Asia Health Material conditions Overcrowding Activities Social ties Work Thailand

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the Thai authorities respond to the crisis behind the bars? Were prison authorities prepared to avoid the spread of the virus? Which measures were taken and how did them impact prisoners’ lives?

March 18, 2021

Brazil: managing uncertainty

Analysis

Coronavirus South America Material conditions Activities Social ties Brazil

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the Brazilian authorities respond to the crisis behind the bars? Were prison authorities prepared to avoid the spread of the virus? Which measures were taken and how did them impact prisoners’ lives?

March 18, 2021

Ireland: managing uncertainty

Analysis

Coronavirus Europe Material conditions Activities Social ties Ireland

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the Irish authorities respond to the crisis behind the bars? Were prison authorities prepared to avoid the spread of the virus? Which measures were taken and how did them impact prisoners’ lives?

March 18, 2021

Norway: managing uncertainty

Analysis

Coronavirus Europe Health Material conditions Activities Social ties Norway

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the Norwegian authorities respond to the crisis behind the bars? Were prison authorities prepared to avoid the spread of the virus? Which measures were taken and how did them impact prisoners’ lives?

February 15, 2021

India: after 70 years, Rajasthan amends prison manual that sanctioned caste-based labour

News

Culture Asia Access to legal rights Justice Activities Religion India

The move comes nearly two months after The Wire’s report had exposed conditions of institutionalised casteism in prisons of Rajasthan and several other states in India.

February 10, 2021

Singapore: recidivism rate at all-time low, more inmates serving part of jail term in community

News

Asia Activities Alternatives Rehabilitation Work Singapore

The recidivism rate in Singapore has dipped to an all-time low and more inmates are serving part of their jail term in the community, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) said on Wednesday (Feb 3).

January 27, 2021

Colombia: repair, educate, reconcile

Interview

Activities Alternatives Rehabilitation Colombia

The prison population in Latin America continues to grow. Is restorative justice a viable alternative to redress this situation?

December 11, 2020

Belgique : "on est revenu en pleine seconde vague à un taux de surpopulation assez élevé"

News

Coronavirus Culture Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Justice Health Mental health Overcrowding Activities Social ties Belgium

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

December 8, 2020

United Kingdom: investing in yet more prison places is not the way to cut crime

News

Europe Overcrowding Activities Rehabilitation Work United Kingdom

The chancellor’s £4bn to imprison more criminals in England and Wales should be spent helping people live a life outside crime.

November 23, 2020

Argentina: cárceles solidarias, presas hicieron y donaron 180 pelucas para pacientes oncológicos

News

South America Women Mental health Activities Rehabilitation Work Argentina

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

November 20, 2020

France : la prison, quel rôle ?

News

Culture Europe Activities Rehabilitation Work France

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

October 26, 2020

Turkey: 60 percent of jailed youth return to prison after being released

News

Europe Minors Middle East Activities Rehabilitation Turkey

Recidivism is high among youth criminals in Turkey as more than half of released minors eventually end up back in prison due to a lack of opportunities and support structures upon their release, said the Youth Re-autonomy Foundation of Turkey (TÇYÖV).

October 9, 2020

United Kingdom: lockdown conditions leave prisoners at risk of serving longer sentences

News

Pre-trial detention Europe Access to legal rights Justice Activities Rehabilitation Work United Kingdom

Lockdown conditions in prisons have effectively ended opportunities for prisoners to take part in rehabilitation activities and progress in their sentences. For the nearly 11,000 prisoners serving indeterminate sentences (9,000 unreleased; 2,000 recalled), this could lead to them spending significa…

September 29, 2020

France: "escaping the prison diktat"

Interview

Europe Justice Material conditions Overcrowding Activities Alternatives Rehabilitation France

The number of prisoners is increasing, short sentences are numerous, the recidivism rate is high. How can the entire prison system be rethought?

September 29, 2020

Afghanistan: life in prison, looking to the future from behind bars

News

Middle East Activities Rehabilitation Work Afghanistan

For many people, prison is only a place where criminals serve their sentence. But there are also prisoners who are transformed during their imprisonment, deciding to abandon their past and change their future. Recently the directorate of prisons initiated a new program called “Prisoners’ Literacy a…

September 24, 2020

México: ¿qué libro le regalarías a una mujer que está en la cárcel?

News

Culture Central America and the Caribbean Women Activities Social ties Mexico

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

September 24, 2020

Argentina: sin visitas y con menos actividades, así viven la cuarentena los presos

News

Coronavirus Culture South America Activities Social ties Argentina

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

June 17, 2020

France: à Guéret, les détenus, moins nombreux qu'avant, retrouvent parloirs et activités

News

Coronavirus North America Activities Social ties France

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

June 4, 2020

Argentina: plan de continuidad pedagógica en las cárceles

News

South America Minors Activities Argentina

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

May 28, 2020

France: “Le Grand Jour, de la prison à l’Odéon” sur LCP, le théâtre pour briser ses chaînes

News

Culture Europe Activities France

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

May 20, 2020

Argentina: impulsan la continuidad educativa de estudiantes privados de la libertad en cárceles bonaerenses

News

South America Activities Argentina

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

May 13, 2020

France: Khaled Miloudi, la plume en vaut la peine

News

Coronavirus Europe Activities France

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