The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has urged Lithuania to take measures to address excessive use of force in prisons, poor material conditions of detention, overcrowding and segregation of life-sentenced prisoners.
In their response, the Lithuanian authorities refer to training programmes offered to prison officers on the use of physical force and special means. Further, information is provided on the steps being taken to combat prison overcrowding, including by placing emphasis on non-custodial measures for remand prisoners (such as electronic surveillance) and developing alternatives to imprisonment. Reference is also made to measures taken or envisaged to improve material conditions in the prisons visited as well as to plans to construct new prison establishments in Vilnius and Šiauliai.
The report published today, together with the responses of the Lithuanian Government, covers the CPT most recent visit to the country, from 27 November to 4 December 2012. (more...)
See also:
Lithuania and the Council of Europe
