Further strengthening the provision of health care and mental health in prisons and other closed institutions in Romania

The Council of Europe continues to support Romania in its efforts to strengthen the provision of health care and mental health care in their prisons and closed institutions in line with the Council of Europe standards and ECtHR case law. In this regard it was implementing the follow-up phase of the project, as of 1 January 2024. It was built on results achieved during the previous stage to extend support, deepen the areas of intervention and ensure sustainability of accomplishments.

The project was implemented by the Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty Division in cooperation with the main partners, the Ministry of Justice, the National Administration of Penitentiaries and the Ministry of Health.

The main goal of the project was to enhance the medical treatment and care of the persons deprived of liberty by providing appropriate physical and psychiatric care in a medical and therapeutic environment. To this end, the project focused on policy, regulatory framework and operational approaches and strive to achieve the following outcomes:

Better align the policy and regulatory framework for provision and organisation of health care, including mental health in prison with international standards and best practices.
Further equip the medical and non-medical staff with tools, knowledge and skills relevant to the psychical and mental health of detainees.
Strengthen the cooperation between different actors aiming at improving the provision of health care and mental health care of those placed in closed institutions.

The duration of the project was set at 12 months and it was completed on 31 December 2024, with a total budget of 190.000 Euros financed by the Human Rights Trust Fund.

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Back First-of-its-kind joint training for medical professionals in Romania

Vladislav SPIRLICENCO

Modified 2 Years ago.

First-of-its-kind joint training for medical professionals in Romania

The joint training, held on 11-12 June in Bucharest brought together medical professionals from the penitentiary system and civilian hospitals of Romania to look into the fundamental human rights of prisoners and explore possibilities of cooperation.

The participants had a possibility to learn more about the international legal framework of human rights and health care of persons deprived of liberty, intersection of healthcare in detention setting with that for the general public, health and mental health promotion, role of healthcare professionals in preventing and combating torture and many other topics. Each topic was discussed in the light of the respective international standards, good practices, national context and practical challenges. Facilitated discussions allowed not only to bring up the difficulties and exchange information but also to seek joint solutions.

This was the first-of-its-kind joint training, and it is anticipated that the discussions would create a basis for further strengthening the cooperation between penitentiary and civilian hospitals in order to provide efficient health care to detainees.

The event was organised within the framework of the project “Further strengthening the provision of health care and mental health in prisons and other closed institutions in Romania” financed by the Human Rights Trust Fund of the Council of Europe.

Romania 14 June 2024