Committee for the Prevention of Torture Calls on Romanian Authorities to Reform its Prison System

15-04-2022

Manon Picard

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published on the 14th of April 2022 its Report on the Romanian prison system, specifically the treatment of persons in prisons and police establishments, following its visit from the 10th of May 2021 to the 21st of May 2021. The Report outlines the numerous challenges Romanian prisons face and called on the Romanian authorities to “vigorously pursue the reform of the prison system to address some serious and persistent shortcomings”. 

In its Report, the CPT recommended that the Romanian authorities improve the living conditions in prisons or detention centres, increase the number of staff, provide for a better healthcare and further develop the reintegration process of prisoners. Additionally, the Report also pointed out that prison overcrowding remained a problem which had a direct impact on the living conditions of prisoners and increased the risk of violence within the prison. The CPT also raised serious concerns regarding the allegations of ill-treatment by staff members towards prisoners especially in the Giurgiu Prison. 

According to the CPT, Romania should invest in improving the material conditions of its prisons as this has negative repercussions on the living conditions of prisoners. Furthermore, the CPT focused on improving the quality of health care for prisoners and stated the following in that regard:

“Priority actions include increasing staffing levels, furnishing all prisons with basic and emergency medical equipment, guaranteeing medical confidentiality, improving the recording of injuries and adopting a comprehensive strategy to assist persons with drug-related issues. Likewise, mental health care in prisons needs to be improved”.

Although Romania, in its response to the Report, expressed a zero tolerance policy towards any aggressive behavior by its public authorities, the evidence collected by the CPT in its Report seems to show otherwise. The CPT hopes that further actions will be taken by the Romanian authorities to remedy the challenges they face in regard to their prison system. 

Sources and further reading:

Council of Europe. (2022, April 14). Romanian Prisons Continue to Face Extensive Challenges. Newsroom – Council of Europe. Retrieved on April 15, 2022, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/romanian-prisons-continue-to-face-extensive-challenges

Council of Europe. (2022, April 14). Romanian Prisons Continue to Face Extensive Challenges: Anti-torture Committee Report. Council of Europe- Directorate of Communications. Retrieved on April 15, 2022, from https://search.coe.int/directorate_of_communications/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectId=0900001680a62e94

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Report to the Romanian Government on the ad hoc Visit to Romania from 10 to 21 May 2021. https://rm.coe.int/1680a62e4b