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The role of the Research and Statistics Expert Group was to work collaboratively to assist in the collection and dissemination of information that provides value to the National Prison Agencies of the European Union and EEA. Secondary stakeholders include the National Prison Agencies of the wider European area, the established media and the general public. The work undertaken by the group looked to share information that serves to enhance transparency, clarity and consistency.
On 23rd May, EuroPris was invited to the plenary meeting of the Committee on the Operation of European Conventions on Co-operation in Criminal Matters (PC-OC) to present its European Prison Information System (EPIS). This system, which provides a base platform for the collection and dissemination of prison-related information, continues to develop so that it can be utilised as a source of data for a variety of purposes. Administrations seeking to repatriate a foreign inmate to his/her country of origin, must take into consideration recommendations made under the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and EC Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA. In the context of conducting prisoner transfers there is no doubt a great deal of information is required by an authority. EPIS holding data on a number of European Prison Agencies, provides a base platform for the collection and dissemination of prison-related information. Read more about the meeting here.
On 3 September 2015, EuroPris held the European Prison Information System (EPIS) Training workshop, at the Irish Prison Service College in Portlaoise, Ireland. The group was comprised of representatives from 10 European National Agencies (Bulgaria, Catalonia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Turkey, Austria, Germany). The aim of the workshop was to come in the aid of prison staff in charge of filling the data into the system for their jurisdiction. The training covered topics such as: an introduction to EPIS, the EPIS fields in depth, practicalities and developments. Participants have found the training very useful, having a broader and clear image on filling in the data and using the system. The feedback offered by participants was also valuable for EuroPris for the future developments of the system.
The EuroPris Knowledge Management System (KMS) allows organisations to contact EuroPris with a query or request for information. EuroPris will then send a note across its network to ask for responses to these by a specific date. Respondents will have access to all responses and can collate the information as applicable to them. This will also help to prevent the duplication of requests in future.
The Research and Statistics expert group’s work is instrumental to the development of The European Prison Information System (EPIS) that EuroPris is currently building. EPIS is designed to create a map of the European prison systems, holding information of interest and value for the European prisons. The database allows a national agency to update the information on the website. Moreover, all the details gathered through KMS will be attached to the country’s organisational factfile.
To assist the work of the Research and Statistics Expert Group, EuroPris seeks the views from National Prison Agencies for their input on the research activities that should form the future work of the group.
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.