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 Steering Committee meeting confirms need for legislative changes on disciplinary and reward procedures in prisons in Türkiye

Marina ACHA

Modified 2 Years ago.

@ Council of Europe

The 2^nd Steering Committee for the project "Enhancing the Disciplinary and Reward Procedures for Prisoners in Türkiye” convened on 20 September 2023 in Ankara with high-level participants from the stakeholders, including the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses. Representatives of the Directorate General, the Council of Europe, donors, Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, Ombudsman Institution, and the Bar Association engaged in constructive discussions and reckoned that solid progress has been made in the last six months and agreed on the steps ahead.

One of the central themes of the meeting was the commitment of the stakeholders to enhancing Türkiye's legislative framework on discipline and reward procedures for prisoners. Legislative amendments will play a pivotal role in ensuring that human rights are respected and protected within the prison system, while promoting rehabilitation through disciplinary and rewards mechanism, thus fostering an environment of fairness, security, and justice.

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

Ankara, Türkiye 20 September 2023