Introduction
Organised crime networks continue to undermine the integrity of prison systems across Europe. Despite established prison regimes, criminal groups are able to maintain influence and coordinate activities from within, including in high-security facilities. Addressing this systemic challenge requires strengthened international cooperation and the exchange of practices, information, and intelligence.
The Organised Crime in Prisons (OCP) Conference 2025 — Innovation, Intelligence, and International Collaboration will bring together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to explore these challenges, highlight effective responses, and reinforce cross-border cooperation in addressing organised crime in custodial settings.
The conference will take place on 4-6 November in Rome, Italy, and is jointly organised by the Italian Ministry of Justice: Department of Prison Administration, the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, and EuroPris. It builds on the successful 2023 edition hosted by Spain and the Netherlands, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to tackling organised crime in prisons.
The Organised Crime in Prisons Conference 2025 will address key areas of concern related to organised crime within prison systems. The following core themes will guide the conference discussions:
- Impact Assessment
Examining the effects of organised crime on prison operations, prisoner safety, staff wellbeing, and the exit-strategy. - High-Security Measures
Assessing specialised infrastructure, management strategies, and security protocols designed to contain high-risk prisoners and prevent the coordination of criminal activity within prisons. Measures preventing pressure from high risk-prisoners on lawyers. - Security Technologies
Presenting digital tools, surveillance systems, and technological innovations that support the detection of drones, monitoring, jamming phones and disruption of illicit activities.. - Prison Intelligence
Enhancing intelligence gathering and analysis, and promoting inter-agency coordination to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating inside or through prison systems. - European Cooperation
Strengthening cross-border collaboration, information exchange, and policy alignment among European justice institutions to address organised crime in prisons more effectively.
We invite practitioners, researchers, prison professionals, and institutional representatives active in the field of tackling organised crime in prison to submit proposals for presentations that address one or more of the conference themes. Based on the submissions received, the programming committee will assign speakers to sessions, which may include keynotes, breakout panels, or other interactive formats.
Submission:
- Abstract (max. 300 words)
- Speaker biography (max. 150 words)
- Indication of relevant theme(s)
Deadline: 19 August 2025
Submit your abstract here. The programming committee will assess submissions based on quality, geographical and gender representation, relevance to the conference themes, and the potential to foster engaging discussions.
Please note that a draft programme will be published in September.
- Tuesday, 4 November (Evening) – Welcome Reception (optional)
- Wednesday, 5 November – Conference Day 1
- Thursday, 6 November – Conference Day 2
- Friday, 7 November – Optional Prison Visits (limited capacity; pre-registration required)
Registration for the OCP Conference 2025 will open at the beginning of September. To receive updates and express early interest, please fill out the form here.
