EPSU response to the European Commission's Green Paper relating to prison detention conditions - December 2011

There is no doubt that improving detention conditions in many of Europe’s prisons is an absolute priority. EPSU argues that central to this objective is the need to improve working conditions of staff and involve trade unions in reforms. A sufficient number of staff with a good balance between prison officers, medical, probation, educational and administrative staff is also a prerequisite to the sound rehabilitation of prison inmates. The Council of Europe’s prison rules that take due account of the dynamics between prisoners, staff and management is the right starting point for an EU initiative in the area of prison detention conditions. EPSU also urges the Commission to examine the impact of the ongoing cuts in public services on the state of the Union’s prisons. EPSU looks forward to the results of this public consultation.

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