Brussels, 15/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - Given the worsening situation in European prisons, urgent measures needed to remedy the “alarming” state of prisons across the EU were demanded in a resolution adopted by the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday 15 December. MEPs called for action to protect prisoners' fundamental rights (the total prison population of the EU was estimated to be 633,909 in 2009-2010) and minimum common standards for detention conditions in all EU countries. They asked the Commission to bring forward a legislative proposal “on the rights of persons deprived of their liberty and minimum standards for prison and detention conditions, and also uniform standards for the compensation of persons unjustly detained or convicted”, a press release reports.
According to MEPs, a growing prison population, ever more foreign nationals being held, large numbers of pre-trial detainees, detainees with mental and psychological disorders and many cases of death and suicide have been observed. In their resolution, MEPs state that “prison conditions must be consistent with human dignity and the rights of suspects or accused persons must be guaranteed, including the right not to be subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment”. They add that pre-trial detention must remain an exceptional measure to be used under strict conditions and for a limited period of time. They note, too, that member states often point to a lack of resources to improve prison conditions. They suggest, therefore, that a specific EU budget heading be created “with a view to encouraging them to comply with high standards”. (OL/transl.rt)