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 Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing within Romanian penitentiary system

Vladislav SPIRLICENCO

Modified 1 Year ago.

Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing within Romanian penitentiary system

From 16 to 24 September 2024, four teams of trainers composed of medical and non-medical professionals passed the knowledge on multidisciplinary management of prisoners with mental health problems to their peers from Botosani, Galati, Baia Mare and Craiova prisons in Romania.

In total 106 doctors, psychologists, security and regime staff could expand their knowledge in the areas such as effective multidisciplinary work and appropriate care, ambulatory care and unit management, vulnerable prisoners, challenging behaviours and their management, safeguards against ill-treatment of prisoners, building empathy for mentally disordered prisoners and challenging their stigma. The training also enabled its participants to discuss real-life scenarios and seek together solutions aimed at the best interest of the inmates.

Prior to the trainings, the teams of trainers took a special preparatory course facilitated by the Council of Europe. They were also equipped with a special curriculum developed by the Council of Europe consultants. The trainers are expected to continue passing the knowledge on to their peers, thus improving the treatment and provision of mental health services to inmates.

The training sessions were 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 2 October 2024