Programme

Fundamental rights and Rule of law (FRRL) Group hearing on "Prison and detention conditions in Europe"

Wednesday, 19 June from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. EESC, Brussels, room VMA22 & online

09.30 a.m. - 10.00 a.m. | Interactio testing

10.00 a.m. - 10.05 a.m. | Introduction

• Paul Soete, President of the FRRL Group

10.05 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. | State of play of prison & detention conditions in Europe

Moderator: Paul Soete, President of the FRRL Group

• Alessio Scandurra, Coordinator,European Prison Observatory

Q&A

10.30 a.m. - 11.40 a.m. | Panel I - Standards on prison and detention conditions

This panel will outline international and European standards for the treatment of prisoners and detainees and highlight monitoring mechanisms established to oversee conditions in prisons and detention centres across Europe.

Moderator: José Antonio Moreno Díaz, Member of the FRRL Group 

• Jesca Beneder, Team leader European Arrest Warrant/Detention, Criminal Procedural Law, European Commission DG Justice (JUST.A.5)
• Michal Nespor, Project Manager, Justice, Digital and Migration Unit, Fundamental Rights agency (FRA) – on line
• Krešimir Kamber, Lawyer Directorate of the Jurisconsult, Adviser to the President and the Registrar, Registry of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) – on line
• Kristina Pardalos, Member, European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) – on line

Q&A

11.40 a.m. - 11.50 a.m. | Break

11.50 a.m. - 12.50 p.m. | Panel II - Unlocking Solutions: Addressing challenges in prison and detention conditions

This panel will address critical challenges in prison and detention conditions, and propose recommendations concerning overcrowding, pre-detention matters, the treatment of vulnerable individuals and the conditions of prison staff, to ensure humane and effective management of correctional facilities.

Moderator: Christian Moos, Vice-President of the FRRL Group

• Maria de Castro Cavalli, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs, Contrôleur général des lieux de privation de liberté (France) – on line
• Olivia Rope, Executive Director, Penal Reform International
• Gustav Tallving, Executive Director, European organisation of prison and correctional services (Europris) – on line
• Robby De Kaey, Federal Secretary Administrations and Ministries, Algemeen Belgisch Vakverbond (ABVV, member of EPSU)

Q&A

12.50 p.m. - 01.00 p.m. | Closing remarks

• Paul Soete, President of the FRRL Group

Interpretation requested from English and French into English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish & Polish