The European Prison Rules, adopted by the Council of Europe, set out standards on the management of prisons and the treatment of people in prison. They apply in all Council of Europe member States and provide critical guidance to prison staff on how to protect and safeguard the human rights of people in prison – from admission to release. The rules have been revised four times since 1973, most recently in 2020.
This guidance document can be used as a reference document and as a resource for reviewing legislation, developing policies and in training criminal justice actors and other relevant stakeholders in Europe. It brings together the most recent knowledge and international experience to guide legislators, policymakers, prison authorities, monitoring bodies, probation services, social welfare and healthcare services, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders. Examples of promising practices from Council of Europe member states are included to illustrate implementation of standards, inspire solutions, generate new thinking, and point to new tools and resources.
Click here to download the European Prison Rules.