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Separation and solitary confinement in the revised 2020 European Prison Rules – First thoughts

The European Prison Rules (and their Commentary) were recently revised by the Council of Europe. The most notable changes arguably concern the rules guiding prison authorities on the separation and solitary confinement of prisoners. In this article written for PRI, Professor Dirk van Zyl Smit, who was expert adviser to the Penological Council of the Council of Europe on the revision, shares his first thoughts on what these new limitations on separation and solitary confinement mean for prison management and the human rights of prisoners.

Expert guest for PRIDirk van Zyl Smit10th July 2020

Protecting human rights in COVID-19: Detention Monitoring in Georgia

In this external expert blog for PRI, Giorgi Burjanadze, Deputy Ombudsperson in Georgia and member of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) mandated to conduct the monitoring of detention facilities, shares how they adapted its methodology to continue its critical work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Expert guest for PRIGiorgi Burjanadze1st June 2020

Less lethal equipment used in places of detention

The usage and types of equipment in prisons and other places of detention is wide ranging and varies from country to country. In this blog, the Omega Research Foundation reflects on the growth of less lethal weapons available to officers and ongoing efforts for transparency.

The Omega Research Foundation18th March 2020

We are 30: Looking forward to the next decade

30 years ago, Vivien Stern, Ahmed Othmani and Hans Tulkens created Penal Reform International. In the footsteps of our founders, and proud of all we have accomplished over the last 30 years, we now look forward and launch a new strategy, setting the tone of PRI’s evolution.

Florian Irminger21st November 2019

Combatting the trade and use of weapons and restraints for torture and ill-treatment: a new resource for detention monitors

It is highly important that independent monitoring bodies can effectively monitor the use of weapons and restraints in places of detention in order to prevent torture and ill-treatment. A new resource, recently released by the Omega Research Foundation, aims to assist monitors to document weapons and restraints.

Expert guest for PRIDr. Abi Dymond10th December 2018

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’: Breaking the cycle of violence against LGBTI persons in detention

Jean-Sébastien Blanc of the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) discusses a new tool, published today by the APT, which provides guidance on monitoring the situation of LGBTI prisoners in detention facilities and assists monitors in key aspects of their work.

Expert guest for PRIJean-Sébastien Blanc4th December 2018

Blog

Separation and solitary confinement in the revised 2020 European Prison Rules – First thoughts

Protecting human rights in COVID-19: Detention Monitoring in Georgia

Less lethal equipment used in places of detention

We are 30: Looking forward to the next decade

Combatting the trade and use of weapons and restraints for torture and ill-treatment: a new resource for detention monitors

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’: Breaking the cycle of violence against LGBTI persons in detention

The role of internal inspections in protecting human rights in prison

Global Prison Trends 2018: a global view on the state of prisons

In Brazil, prison riots and killings expose the structural failures of mass incarceration

Prisoner transportation in Russia: travelling into the unknown

Documenting torture technologies, less lethal weapons and restraints in detention: what, why and how?