Previous Article
News
Revised European Prison Rules: new guidance to prison services on humane treatment of inmates
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a Recommendation which updates the 2006 European Prison Rules. The rules, which contain the key legal standards and principles related to prison management, staff and treatment of detainees and are a global reference in this field, guide the 47 Council of Europe member states in their legislation, policies and practices.
The revision concerns the rules on the record keeping of information about inmates and the management of their files, the treatment of women prisoners, foreign nationals, as well as the use of special high security or safety measures such as the separation of prisoners from other inmates, solitary confinement, instruments of restraint, the need to ensure adequate levels in prison staff, inspection and independent monitoring.
The recommendation regulates in greater detail solitary confinement (i.e. being locked up for more than 22 hours a day without meaningful human contact). Decisions on this measure should always be used as a last resort and take into account the state of health of the prisoner. Due to the very negative effect such a measure may have on one’s physical and mental health, it should be imposed for a strictly specified period of time, which should be as short as possible.
The revised rules establish that states should set in their national legislation the maximum period for which solitary confinement may be imposed. Furthermore, inmates concerned should be visited daily by the prison director or an authorised member of the prison staff, as well as by the medical practitioner.
You can download the complete document of the Prison rules here.
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
New
Uncategorized
Newsletter October 2025 out now
30/10/2025
CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! Articles on the CEP conference: Public Perception of Probation, Expert Network Meeting on Education and Training, CEP Calls for EM expert group, CEP awards and more.>> Read here
Recap
CEP Events, Projects
Special recognition for the Afforestation and Coordination Project
29/10/2025
During the CEP Awards Ceremony on October 15, CEP also granted a special recognition to the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of Türkiye for the Afforestation and Coordination Project.
New
CEP members
Invitation to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme
28/10/2025
We would like to invite you to nominate a candidate (see point 1) to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme.
New
CEP Events
CEP presents the four winners of the CEP Awards 2025
27/10/2025
During the General Assembly aand CEP Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Vienna, Austria, CEP presented the four CEP Awards to its winners With the awards, CEP would like to celebrate outstanding contributions to probation within Europe. We were glad to receive all the impressive submissions of which the following winners are chosen. Congratulations!
New
CEP Board
Meet the CEP Board
22/10/2025
The General Assembly takes place every three years. The last General Assembly was held on 15 October 2025 in Vienna, Austria.
The CEP Board has a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer and a maximum of eight ordinary Board members. The General Assembly elects the President, two Vice-Presidents and a minimum of three and a maximum of five other board members from among its members. Three members may be appointed by the Board from among the full or associated members to ensure that the specific expertise and interests are represented. The Board appoints the Treasurer, who can be a board member or an ex-officio board member of which an explanation is given in the internal regulations.
Recap
CEP Events, CEP members, Gender-based violence
CEP 15th General Assembly and International Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Probation
16/10/2025
From 14 to 16 October 2025, Vienna hosted the 15th CEP General Assembly and the CEP International Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Probation: Challenges and Lessons Learned. The event, organized in cooperation with NEUSTART, brought together over 100 CEP members, probation professionals, policymakers, and researchers from across Europe to reflect, exchange experiences, and discuss the topic of gender-based violence from the perspective of probation, restorative justice and prison.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.