Latest updates
Blog post
The shadow code: How informal prison hierarchy undermines human dignity across post-Soviet prisons
In this expert blog, PRI’s Tinatin Uplisashvili explores the persistence of informal prison hierarchies across post-Soviet penitentiary systems, structures that continue to shape prison life through violence, social exclusion and informal authority. Drawing on recent reports by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and long-standing documentation from multiple countries, the blog analyses how […]
22nd July 2025
Blog post
Behind bars, beyond justice: confronting corruption in the prison system
In this expert blog for Penal Reform International, Sofie Arjon Schütte analyses the phenomenon of corruption in prisons, fuelled by severe power imbalances, limited oversight, and widespread overcrowding, creating conditions ripe for bribery, extortion, and abuse – particularly against vulnerable groups.
15th July 2025
Guidelines
Corruption in prisons: a guide for detention monitors
Corruption poses a significant challenge in criminal justice systems globally, impacting the human rights of prisoners and the effective administration of justice. Prisons, due to their opaque nature, inherent power imbalances and limited oversight, are particularly vulnerable to corruption. This can manifest in various forms, from petty bribery to large-scale misappropriation of funds and sexual […]
Languages: English