Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

September 6, 2023

Europe: "but think of your children!"

Interview

Women Europe Activities Social ties Rehabilitation

The approach to maintaining family ties differs depending on prisoners’ gender. Maternity is often seen as central when it comes to women’s reintegration. For better or for worse? Ariane Amado answered our questions.

September 1, 2023

United States: Missouri prisons ban loved ones from sending books to people in prison

News

North America Activities Social ties United States

Missouri Prisons have unleashed a new form of cruelty—banning books sent by friends and family to incarcerated individuals. This is more than just a policy, it’s an attack on freedom and human dignity.

July 24, 2023

South Africa: 'The South African' mentors former inmates in Prison Journalism drive

News

Africa Activities Rehabilitation South Africa

A virtual training session aimed at teaching former inmates about writing structure, particularly in The South African’s style, recently took place.

July 24, 2023

USA: program helps prisoners sell their artwork

News

North America Activities Rehabilitation Work United States

Art helped soften Dwayne Burns’ rage while he was inside, as it did for many others. Now outside, he runs a program that helps inmates earn income from their talent.

June 22, 2023

Singapore: prison inmates to receive training for food and beverage sector, and help with securing jobs

News

Asia Activities Rehabilitation Work Singapore

A new initiative being rolled out for prison inmates will see them receiving training for roles in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, and help to secure jobs after their release. Yellow Ribbon Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs, said on Thursday that it is aiming t…

June 22, 2023

Ireland: what we've learned from teaching in prison

News

Europe Activities Ireland

Opinion: prison education has a long tradition in Ireland north and south and is of immense value to imprisoned persons.

May 15, 2023

Côte d'Ivoire: a game-changing assist

Interview

Africa Health Activities Rehabilitation Côte d’Ivoire

Does sport improve living conditions and help prisoners reintegrate into society? That is the hope of the organisation La Balle aux Prisonniers (LaBAP). Its founders are convinced that sport can be a vehicle for social inclusion, integration and equal opportunity. Interview.

May 12, 2023

India: recreational activities held for kids of women prisoners

News

Women Asia Activities India

Recreational activities will be organised for the children of women inmates in jail in connection with project “Khushi” a campaign of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) to provide a different environment to children suffering for a crime they have not committed while staying wit…

May 2, 2023

Building bridges through education

Interview

South America Europe Activities Alternatives Rehabilitation

Many initiatives are emerging as alternatives to the traditional prison, focusing on education rather than security. What is meant by education? How does it lead to change? Sergio Grossi answers our questions.

March 7, 2023

France: "It's a topsy-turvy world"

Testimonial

Europe Material conditions Activities Work France

In January 2023, Raphaël M. was placed in a halfway house in Alsace. Five years earlier, he had been in the Strasbourg prison. He shares what he went through and his current experience. A two-part story.

March 7, 2023

France: on camera

Interview

Central America and the Caribbean Activities Rehabilitation France

Basse-Terre prison in Guadeloupe provides prisoner rehabilitation programmes. Film director Mark Alexandre Montout visited the prison to film a cookery competition. Interview.

December 8, 2022

España: Terapia entre arcilla y pinceles en la prisión

News

Europe Activities Rehabilitation Spain

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

September 5, 2022

Liban : si l’État ne paie pas ses fournisseurs, les détenus de quatre prisons seront privés de nourriture

Middle East Material conditions Activities Lebanon

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

June 20, 2022

Lebanon: using theatre as therapy in prison

Testimonial

Culture Women Middle East Mental health Activities Lebanon

Theatre comes to Lebanese prisons. Catharsis is an organisation that offers drama therapy workshops in prisons. Its director Zeina Daccache produced documentaries about three such projects that took place in prisons.

June 15, 2022

Brazil: destacan la alta escolaridad formal en las cárceles de la región

News

South America Activities Brazil

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

June 14, 2022

Argentina: en las cárceles de PBA más de 5.200 internos se sumaron a los pabellones literarios

News

South America Activities Argentina

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

June 14, 2022

Argentina: un centenar de personas de 18 cárceles crearon un mural móvil contra el trabajo infantil

News

South America Activities Argentina

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

June 10, 2022

UK: finding an outlet

Testimonial

Culture Activities Rehabilitation United Kingdom

Noel Smith learned to read and write while serving time in prison. Today, he is an author and editor for Inside Time, a newspaper published for prisoners that also serves as a platform for them to speak out. He shared with us his story.

June 2, 2022

España: Interior reabrirá las piscinas tras dos años de pandemia

News

Europe Activities Spain

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

May 19, 2022

Perù : La moda social teje reinserción en las cárceles

News

South America Activities Rehabilitation Work Peru

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

May 19, 2022

España : Literatura de evasión: qué leen los presos en las cárceles españolas

News

Europe Activities Spain

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

May 18, 2022

France: in search of meaning

Testimonial

Women Europe Activities Social ties Religion France

Sakina is a Muslim chaplain in prison. She guides female prisoners in their religious practice. Ramadan, daily organiszation, work on self-esteem… She tells us all about it

March 24, 2022

Sunny Jacobs: Life Inside

Testimonial

North America Mental health Material conditions Death penalty Activities United States

What is daily life on death row like? Sunny Jacobs was sentenced to death and spent seventeen years in detention for a crime she did not commit. She tells Prison Insider about her detention conditions and the burden of complete isolation.

February 21, 2022

Brazil: Reading books can reduce prison sentence

News

Culture South America Activities Brazil

Brazil has a unique way of reducing the prison term of the inmates.