A series of three assessment missions were carried out across Türkiye in 2026 with the overall aim to assess the needs of women prisoners and support the development of a gender-sensitive and human rights-based prison management model. The missions examined a range of issues, including rehabilitation and social reintegration practices, institutional management, and staff training. The findings will guide future activities to support the rights of women deprived of liberty in Türkiye.

The first assessment mission (Ankara, Eskişehir, Diyarbakır | 4–8 May 2026) focused on the overall needs and detention conditions of women prisoners.

The second mission (Ankara, İstanbul | 20–22 May 2026) concentrated on staff training. Meetings were organised with relevant departments of the Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Houses, including the Training and Probation Departments. Field visits took place at the Ankara and İstanbul Staff Training Centres, with interviews and focus group discussions involving management, trainers and trainees. The mission analysed current training curricula and practices, exploring capacity-building mechanisms for staff working with women prisoners.

The third mission (Ankara, İzmir, Gaziantep, İstanbul | 1–5 June 2026) examined rehabilitation, social reintegration, and prison management practices. The delegation met with representatives of the Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Houses, the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the National Preventive Mechanism, focusing on rehabilitation opportunities, vocational training, education, and employment support. Site visits were conducted at İzmir Women’s Prison, Gaziantep L-Type Prison and Marmara Women’s Prison, with consultants carrying out interviews and on-site observations to review prison regimes from rehabilitation and reintegration perspectives and institutional management practices.

The activity was carried out within the framework of the Joint Programme on "Strengthening Rights and Conditions of Women in Prisons in Türkiye in line with International and EU Standards", co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.