May 2, 2023

Changing the scale

Thematic paper

South America Europe Facilities Social ties Alternatives Rehabilitation

New insights are arising concerning alternative forms of detention that are integrated into the community, small-scale and focused on the needs of individuals. This series explores experience from the field, ideas that remain on paper and the potential limits of “small-scale” detention. Read more

March 9, 2023

Problems of substance

Analysis Thematic paper

North America Europe Health Mental health Drugs Material conditions

Many people are living with addiction in prison. They face great difficulties. Drugs are an integral part of the overcrowded and unsanitary prison systems, which increases the risks inherent in drug use. How is drug addiction experienced behind bars? Read more

April 14, 2022

Walling up madness

Analysis Thematic paper

Europe Access to legal rights Mental health Drugs Material conditions Suicide

More than 40 % of prisoners in Italy suffer from at least one mental disorder, about 30% in Spain, 35% in England, and 60% in the Netherlands. Does prison make you go mad? This is no doubt true for some. Prison Insider provides an overview of practices in eight countries. Read more

January 18, 2022

Years in the Row

Analysis Thematic paper

Africa Women Asia Minors Europe Foreign prisoners Discipline Health Mental health Drugs Material conditions Overcrowding Death penalty Torture

Some people fear death every morning. Others are sentenced to death in countries that no longer carry out executions. At least 483 executions were documented in 2020. Prison Insider publishes an overview of practices in nine countries that have not abolished the death penalty. Read more

December 10, 2021

Prison & the City

Thematic paper

Material conditions Facilities Social ties Alternatives Rehabilitation

Hidden prison, modern prison, dilapidated prison, “open” prison: wall to wall, Prison Insider investigated the links between city and prison. In partnership with Rescaled, we gave a number of different people a space to share their point of view. Read more

October 15, 2021

The use of imprisonment around the world

Analysis Thematic paper

Justice

The Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research led a comparative research and policy project to understand the causes and consequences of over-incarceration worldwide. They partnered with Prison Insider to shed light on aspects of prisoners’ experience before and during the COVID-19. Read more

June 2, 2021

Understanding and reducing the use of imprisonment in ten countries

Thematic paper

Africa Pre-trial detention Elderly prisoners Asia Europe Access to legal rights Health Mental health Drugs Material conditions Overcrowding Social ties

The Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR) partnered with Prison Insider to share the results of one of its most extensive research projects. We invite you to learn about it below. The world has seen unprecedented growth in prison populations in recent decades and today well ove… Read more

March 18, 2021

Managing uncertainty in prison: diverse responses to COVID-19

Analysis Thematic paper

Africa Coronavirus Central America and the Caribbean South America Asia Europe Material conditions Social ties

As the COVID-19 outbreaks around the world suprised most governments, how did the 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? Read more

March 18, 2020

Coronavirus: Prison Fever

News Thematic paper

Africa Coronavirus North America Pre-trial detention Central America and the Caribbean South America Asia Europe Middle East Health Material conditions Protest Activities

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 31/12/2020 Read more

January 1, 2020

Coronavirus: Prison Fever / 2021

News Thematic paper

Africa Coronavirus North America Central America and the Caribbean South America Elderly prisoners Asia 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 Read more