The European Prison Observatory (EPO) has officially launched its Linkedin page, creating a new hub for insight, analysis, and dialogue on European prison policies and conditions.

The EPO’s platform aims to be a crucial point of reference for anyone interested in justice, human rights, punishment, and detention conditions in Europe.

Following the EPO provides access to:

- Reliable and up-to-date information on prison systems across Europe.

- A community of researchers, activists, and policy-makers focused on prison reform and human rights.

- Good practices, case studies, and practical tools useful for advocacy, training, and policy work.

The EPO invites institutions, research bodies, and civil society to follow their work, connect, and join the conversation on the rights of incarcerated people, dignity, and transparency to be part of the change.

On Monday 28 June 2021, Antigone was invited to participate in a meeting organised by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Union.

The pandemic has shown even more clearly the need for an external view and expertise, to complement independent inspection bodies and playing a role that does not overlap with theirs.

Indeed, the sudden interruption of information between inside and outside, the lack of institutional transparency during the pandemic, the request for help from civil society in strategic areas show that civil society monitoring initiatives are essential for the respect of the rights of inmates and for the prevention of torture and abuses.

On behalf of the European Prison Observatory, and with the support of the Worlrd Organisation against Torture, Antigone has asked to the European institutions to put pressure on Member States to allow civil society organisations access to prisons.

To read the document presented to the European institutions, see here.