Introduction
EuroPris, in partnership with the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), hosted a webinar focusing on the pressing issue of drugs in prisons. Titled “Drugs in Prisons: A Security Lens on Trends, Technology, and Rehabilitation,” this webinar examined how European prisons are addressing the complex relationship between drug use, security, and inmate rehabilitation. With drug-related challenges becoming increasingly common in prison environments, experts delved into trends, innovations in drug detection technologies, and strategies for creating a safer and more rehabilitative atmosphere in prisons.
Recording and Resources
You can view the recording of the webinar here.
View Linda Montanari of the EUDA’s presentation on Drugs in Prisons here.
Read the summary report of the webinar here.
Objectives of the Webinar
The objectives of the webinar were to:
- Understand current drug trends and challenges in European prisons from a security perspective.
- Explore the latest advancements in drug detection technologies.
- Discuss the balance between robust security measures and the need for effective rehabilitation programs.
- Share insights from European prison experts on addressing drug trafficking and substance use within prison environments.
Speakers and Panellists
This webinar featured key experts from across Europe, offering a wide range of perspectives on tackling the issue of drugs in prison environments.
Speakers:
Linda Montanari (EUDA)
Linda works at the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) as a principal scientist since 2000, where she coordinates the area of prison and drugs, with the objective to improve data availability and comparability on prison and drugs. She was in charge of the report “Prison and Drugs in Europe: Current and Future Challenges” published in 2022, Currently, she is also developing material on training on prison and drugs and is part of the coordinating team on a ECDC/EUDA project on elimination of hepatitis in prison toolkit.
Linda presented:- An overview of the European Union Drugs Agency and its work in monitoring drug trends.
- Analysis of drug trends across Europe, with a focus on how these trends impact prisons.
- Discussion on specific challenges related to drug use in European prisons.
Sara Van Malderen (Federal Department of Justice, Belgium)
Sara is the National Coordinator of Prison Drug Policy and Project Lead for Drugs and Conflict & Aggression Policy at the Belgian Federal Department of Justice – Directorate General of Penitentiary Institutions. Her career began as a scientific researcher focused on criminological phenomena and drug policy. After years in academia, she transitioned to a practical role as Regional Coordinator of Drug Policy for the Belgian Prison Service, followed by seven years as a prison director, managing both remand and long-sentenced prisons. Since 2020, she has been leading innovative projects on drugs, conflict, and aggression reduction in prisons.
Sara presented:
- On the innovations in drug detection technologies, focusing on how these tools are being deployed within prison environments to enhance security and reduce drug trafficking.
- On the innovations in drug detection technologies, focusing on how these tools are being deployed within prison environments to enhance security and reduce drug trafficking.
Panel Discussions
A panel featuring experts from across Europe explored key themes related to drugs, security, and rehabilitation in prisons:
- Linda Montanari (EUDA)
- Sara Van Malderen (Federal Department of Justice, Belgium)
- Angel Vicente Lopez Muriel (General Secretary Penitentiary Institutions, Spain)
- Tuomas Hanhikangas (Prison and Probation Service, Finland)
Topics discussed included:
- Effective security measures for preventing drug trafficking in prisons.
- Emerging screening alternatives and the role of technology in drug detection.
- How to maintain a balance between ensuring security and fostering effective rehabilitation programs for inmates.
In case of questions, please contact the EuroPris secretariat at [email protected]
