Enhancing the Disciplinary and Reward Procedures for Prisoners in Türkiye

The Project on Enhancing the Disciplinary and Reward Procedures for Prisoners in Türkiye aimed to contribute to a safer society that provides full protection of the rights and dignity of persons deprived of their liberty. The main beneficiary was the Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Houses of the Ministry of Justice.

As such, the Project was expected to develop and ensure unified application of a standardised and efficient discipline and reward system that contributes to prisoners’ rehabilitation through numerous activities implemented under the following three components:

revising and strengthening the legislative framework governing the discipline and reward procedures for prisoners,
producing advanced tools to facilitate the unified application of discipline and rewards system in the country and,
enhancing the capacities of prison directors and staff, as well as other stakeholders involved in the execution of criminal sanctions, on the application of discipline and reward procedures.

The key standards in support to the actions undertaken with this Project were set in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and its case law, European Prison Rules as well as the standards and recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

The project started on 01 November 2022 and ended on 31 October 2025, with an overall budget of 1.500.000 €. It was funded by the Council of Europe Human Rights Trust Fund, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Project documentation

Useful information

PROJECT NEWS

Back Development of a Policy paper on Discipline and Rewards mechanism in Türkiye

Nino LAPACHI

Modified 2 Years ago.

@ Council of Europe

The second two-day working group meeting on the development of a policy paper concerning a Discipline and Rewards mechanism was held in Antalya from 15 to 16 January 2024. The focus of the meeting was the development of a comprehensive document aimed at effectively implementing discipline and rewards procedures for prisoners, aiming at a better rehabilitation of inmates and their preparation for reintegration into the society.

The meeting brought together key representatives from the Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses, alongside international experts from the Council of Europe. The participants engaged in constructive dialogues, guided by international experts to ensure that the policy paper reflects not only Türkiye's unique context, but is also aligned with Council of Europe standards and international best practices.

In drafting the policy paper, the working group uses a multi-perspective approach to address the complexities of prison management; it is expected to be finalised by July 2024 and endorsed by the authorities.

This WG meeting was organised within the scope of the Project on "Enhancing the Disciplinary and Reward Procedures for Prisoners in Türkiye” co-funded by Norway, the Human Rights Trust Fund of the Council of Europe, Belgium, Türkiye, and the Netherlands.

Antalya, Türkiye 15-16 January 2024