Improving the treatment of prisoners with mental health problems and strengthening alternative sanctions in Serbia
The purpose of the project is to contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law and fundamental rights protection in Serbia. The project addresses the findings and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on the application of Conventions of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).
The project will help the Ministry of Justice – Prison Administration to further strengthen its capacities to deal with persons deprived of liberty with mental health problems, and to implement more effectively alternative sanctions as well as post-release care intervention. Therefore, the project will be divided in two components that will be implemented in parallel.
Component I - Strengthened capacity of institutions to manage effectively persons deprived of liberty with mental health problems
To achieve that, the focus will be on developing tools and programmes for effective treatment of prisoners with mental health problems, including forensic patients. Hence, the project will address drafting of treatment protocols (model of care) for persons deprived of liberty with mental health problems based on the needs assessment carried out at the very offset of the project.
Component II - Capacity of institutions to more effectively implement alternative sanctions and post-release care enhanced
The project will aim at increasing the effectiveness of alternative (non-custodial) sanctions and interventions related to post-release care of former offenders. Therefore, the component will focus on improving current working modalities of the Commissioner Service (in charge of implementing alternative sanctions and measures), as well as services they provide. This will be achieved by assessing their current practices, procedures and programmes delivered.
The duration of the action is set at 36 months, will be completed by 31 August 2028, with an overall budget of 1,670,000.00 Euros, as a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe co-financed by the EU and CoE and implemented by the Council of Europe.
Project documentation
Useful information
Special Prison Hospital Hosts Workshop on Modern Models of Care
On 26 and 27 May, the Special Prison Hospital in Belgrade hosted the first part of the workshops dedicated to developing a new, comprehensive model of care for inmates with mental health issues. This initiative enhances the quality of psychiatric care and human rights in places of detention and...
Council of Europe presents findings on treatment of forensic patients and prisoners with mental health issues, enforcement of alternative sanctions and post-penal care in Serbia
On 17 March 2026 in Belgrade, the Council of Europe organised a conference to present the findings of the needs assessments conducted in the areas covered by the Joint Programme on improving the treatment of prisoners with mental health problems and on strengthening alternative sanctions. As a...
European Prison Rules
CPDL Highlights
