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 Training curriculum for personnel in discipline and reward system in Türkiye is being developed

Marina ACHA

Modified 2 Years ago.

@ Council of Europe

Following a preparatory meeting held in Ankara on 7-8 September 2023 to discuss and address the training needs of the personnel working in the country's penal institutions, the first working group meeting to develop training curricula was held in Ankara on 13-14 November 2023.

The members of the working group drafted an outline of the proposed curricula for the development of a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programme which will serve as the foundation for future cascade trainings, aimed at equipping prison personnel with skills and knowledge on maintaining effective discipline and applying rewards procedures. The ToT programme will not only address the practical aspects of implementing the related legislation, but also emphasize the importance of human rights, rehabilitation, and reintegration of prisoners into society, in line with the Council of Europe standards and best practices.

The meeting was facilitated by two international consultants with expertise in correctional systems and rehabilitation, who brought invaluable insights to the discussions.

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 the Human Rights Trust Fund of the Council of Europe, Norway, Belgium, Türkiye, and the Netherlands.

Ankara, Türkiye 13-14 November 2023