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Centering lived experience: bridging drug policy and prison reform through peer‑led care

In this expert blog written for PRI, author Alexei Lakhov argues that the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience is essential to creating effective drug and prison policies. There is a fundamental need to move beyond tokenism toward genuine partnership in decision-making, ensuring diverse voices shape agendas and recommendations grounded in lived experience. The […]

Alexei Lakhov15th January 2026

Rethinking prison landscapes: Why green space must be central to penal reform

In this blog, the authors argue that green spaces are essential prison infrastructure, showing that biodiverse landscapes reduce violence, stress and self-harm, support rehabilitation and security, and improve climate resilience. Even small changes in older prisons can help, making nature-rich environments key to dignity and meaningful reform.

Dominique Moran and Emma Widdop2nd December 2025

Beyond capacity: Europe’s prison overcrowding challenge

Discover how European prisons navigate overcrowding. This blog explores disparities, impacts, and innovative reforms, drawing on 2024 data and insights from PRI’s Global Prison Trends series.

Idil Aydinoglu11th December 2024

A turning point for detention in Europe: Political support for detention houses

On 14th of June 2024, the 27 Justice Ministers of the EU adopted landmark Council Conclusions on ‘Small-scale Detention: focusing on social rehabilitation and reintegration into society’. In this blog, Noa Shoshan from RESCALED – a movement advocating for the use of detention houses instead of large prison institutions – explains their relevance for the […]

Noa Shoshan23rd October 2024

Мониторинг на насилието над деца в местата за лишаване от свобода – слепи петна в областта на закрилата

Смята се, че повече от 10 000 деца в Европа са задържани по наказателноправни причини. В световен мащаб броят на децата, лишени от свобода в затвори или в места за предварително задържане, варира между 160 000 и 250 000 дневно през 2018 г. Безопасността на тези деца е от първостепенно значение, включително защитата от физическо […]

Silvia Randazzo21st December 2023

Monitoring violence against children in detention – a safeguarding blindspot?

A hidden crisis: More than 10,000 children in Europe face the risk of violence in criminal justice-related detention. Explore the alarming global statistics and join expert Silvia Randazzo in a deep dive into research conducted as part of the Data MOSAIC project, shedding light on the safeguarding blindspot of violence against children in detention.

Silvia Randazzo18th November 2023

Nature-based detention houses

In a context of climate crisis and rising costs, prisons, like all institutions, must take action to be more sustainable and minimise impact on the environment. In this blog, Wiep Fokker from Restorative Justice Netherlands makes the case for nature-based detention houses as an ecologically sustainable model for penal reform. The climate and biodiversity crisis […]

Wiep Fokker24th October 2023

The over-penalisation of poverty through fines and fees

In many countries around the world, criminal justice fines disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalised in society, effectively creating tiered justice systems. In this blog, Jean Galbraith and Rheem Brooks from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School summarise the findings of new research and discuss what international human rights and criminal justice communities […]

Jean Galbraith and Rheem Brooks16th October 2023

The role of probation in mental health support – new recommendations in Europe

The prevalence of mental health conditions among individuals in contact with criminal justice systems is disproportionately high, when compared to the general population. Reductions in community mental health services, coupled with limited capacities within prison and probation services make the provision of mental health support to individuals under supervision a major challenge. In this blog […]

Charlie Brooker31st January 2023

The future of criminal justice reform: where do we stand and what next?

On 8 – 9 September, PRI joined the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF) 150th anniversary celebrations in Geneva to mark IPPF’s contributions to criminal justice reform. Over the two-day event, PRI staff from Europe, Middle East and North Africa, South Caucasus and Sub-Saharan Africa took part in discussions on challenges and opportunities for supporting […]

Olivia Rope26th September 2022