The final version of seven Training Modules and related training materials for the members of the Civil Monitoring Boards (CMBs) was prepared, following the Working Group (WG) meeting held from 30 November until 4 December 2021 in Izmir, Turkey.

The WG members, composed of representatives of the CMBs, Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Houses (DGPDH), National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and academics from the selected universities, together with one enforcement judge and prison controller, agreed that the training materials will further improve the quality of the civil monitoring system and enhance the prison monitoring skills of CMB members, aligning it with best European practices.

The training programme will also further increase the capacities of the CMBs members with regards to monitoring disciplinary procedures and healthcare provision in prisons and enhance their communication skills and interview techniques. As a result, the CMBs will be better equipped to interconnect with prisoners and prison staff, to obtain accurate and reliable information with respect to prisoners’ rights and treatment, which will help them to produce tailored reports with specific recommendations.

The meeting was facilitated by five consultants and took place within the Project entitled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Civil Monitoring Boards in Turkey in line with the European Standards”, funded by Sweden, Switzerland, the Republic of Turkey, the Human Rights Trust Fund of the Council of Europe and Canada.