On 2 and 3 September 2013 EuroPris has hosted its first expert group meeting on Research and Statistics in The Hague, comprising of representatives from six European National Prison Agencies (Croatia, Finland, Netherlands, Romania, Scotland and Slovenia). The aim of this new group is to work collaboratively to assist in the collection and dissemination of information to provide valuable information back to the National Prison Agencies across Europe.

Through engagement with prison services this group will determine areas of interest and value with the intention of collating and sharing this data among National Agencies to enhance clarity, understanding and transparency across the region.

Supported by the knowledge and experience of the International Roundtable for Correctional Excellence the team will work in partnership to form and agree common data standards to enhance the sharing of meaningful and useful information. EuroPris openly welcomes the involvement of other interested parties who may conduct similar activities within the field to ensure alignment and understanding for the betterment of European corrections.

Exercises will be introduced to gather data concerning input, throughput and output from each country that will provide for the benchmarking of key information across jurisdictions in order to improve the quality of detention.

A summary report of the Expert Group meeting can be downloaded here.