Improving Conditions and finding Alternatives to Detention

The Project

This project, sponsored by the European Commission, consists of five seminars, three of which take place in Strasbourg and Madrid in 2016 and two in Bucharest and Trier in 2017. Each seminar focuses on a different aspect of the supervision of matters relating to detention, with the aim being to provide practical training for a broad spectrum of legal professionals and practitioners in the field of detention.

The Concept

Each seminar is targeted at judges, prosecutors, lawyers in private practice and officials from ministries, prison administrations, the probation system and prison monitoring bodies (approx. 50 participants per seminar) from all eligible Member States (the UK and Denmark do not participate in the Justice Programme 2014-2020). Each training event lasts 1½ days.

Programme

The programme offers a mix of training methods, from lectures to interactive workshops. At the heart of the training is an analysis of detention issues and steps to improve conditions, as well as alternatives to imprisonment. Participants' application of relevant instruments is improved through real-time training and knowledge-sharing. Mutual trust between participants is strengthened through, amongst others, a better understanding of European Court of Human Rights case law and the correct application of the relevant EU Framework Decisions in relation to detention.

Networking Opportunities

This project supports networking by giving the participants from various EU Member States the opportunity to make personal contacts with other participants and speakers, leading to an exchange of best practice and experience in the course of the offered training.