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 Work on Strategy and Action Plan on Mental Health for Romanian penitentiary system has commenced

Nino LAPACHI

Modified 2 Years ago.

@ Council of Europe

On 14 May, the first meeting of the inter-agency working group tasked with developing the Strategy and Action Plan on Mental Health for the Romanian penitentiary system took place online. The Working Group includes representatives of the National Administration of Penitentiaries, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and is being advised by Council of Europe consultants.

The aim of the Working Group is to develop a vision document as well as set of specific actions that would guide the Romanian authorities and assist them with improving psychiatric care of inmates. The Strategy and Action plan will draw on the draft National Action Plan on Mental Health that is being developed, and address the shortcomings identified by the European Court of Human Rights, Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on-site assessment missions supported by the Council of Europe.

The Working Group will conclude its work by the end of 2024 by endorsing the document which will then be submitted to the National Administration of Penitentiaries for approval.

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 May 2024