NCJ Number
205185
Date Published
2003
Length
593 pages
Annotation
Based on input from experts in the participating countries as well as site visits, this study examined developments in the prison systems (n=24) of Central and Eastern Europe as of 2001.
Abstract
In addition to providing an overview of prison-system developments across the whole region, attention is given to each of the 24 prison systems, along with brief information on prisons in the region that are located in areas outside the control of the governments of the countries of which they are officially a part. This is the second study that has examined progress made in implementing the international standards for prison systems in Central and Eastern Europe, together with problems that have impeded their implementation. The previous study focused on 16 prison systems of Central and Eastern Europe in 1994. The current study found that new penal executive codes were adopted in 15 prison systems between 1996 and 2001. Twenty-one of the 24 prison systems are now fully under the Ministry of Justice. The official capacities of most prison systems in the region increased between 1994 and 2001 in order to handle the increase in prison populations. In most countries -- with the exception of Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and those that have emerged from the former Yugoslavia -- prison populations are well above the levels in the rest of Europe and are increasing. The majority of prison administrations in the region report that overcrowding is the most serious or one of the most serious problems they are facing. Overcrowding, when measured by the official capacity of the prison systems, has become significantly worse since 1994. At least 10 of the 24 systems exceeded their official capacity at some time during 2001. Inmate treatment programs are being developed to focus on modifying aspects of an inmate's life that have been associated with criminal behavior, such as anger control, interpersonal communication, social skills, and budgeting. Only a third of prison administrations report having at least 60 percent of sentenced inmates working, and more than one-third have no more than 30 percent of the inmates working. Since 1994, this percentage has declined in 10 countries and increased in only 4. Among the topics addressed in this report are conditions of pretrial detention; hygiene, clothing, and food; health care; discipline and punishment; contact with the outside world; prison staff; treatment, regime activities, and preparation for release; education and exercise; inspection, monitoring, and the availability of international standards; budgets, complaints, the right to vote, nongovernmental organizations and international cooperation; most important recent developments; main problems; achievements; and objectives and remaining tasks. 29 tables and appended reference material and summaries of recent events