Prison Life Index

The Prison Life Index is a tool to evaluate national prison policies, from rule-making to implementation.

The final evaluations will be the result of cross-referencing indicators related to the living conditions of prisoners. These are divided into five categories that represent the main aspects of life in prison: “Being connected”, “Being protected”, “Eating, sleeping, showering”, “Medical care”, “Being active”. The index is being elaborated from the main international legal instruments on detention.

This tool will enable prisoners, their families and all those working in prisons to share information about conditions of detention. It will allow citizens to compare and evaluate the results of policies in order to take part in the public debate, and it will help decision-makers and practitioners obtaining information in order to act on incarceration policies and practices.