The Pompidou Group launched a new angle of cooperation for its South-East Europe thematic group. The activity was established at the initiative of the participating countries from the region with the aim of improving through-care and pre-and post-release rehabilitation programmes in the countries concerned. It was developed in the context of the relatively high prevalence of drug use and HIV infections in South-East European prisons, and at the same time, the low coverage of specialised services available for incarcerated people to address problematic drug use.

The first related event held on 27-28 October 2020 was an online seminar on ‘Essentials of building a comprehensive drug treatment system in prisons’.

During the two days of the seminar, 25 practitioners and policy makers from 11 South-East European countries exchanged views on elements of comprehensive and evidence-based drug treatment systems in prisons.

Participants benefited from international expert knowledge on three major topics: Harm reduction and Opioid Substitution Treatment, Therapeutic Communities and Human rights and stigma of people who use drugs.

Participants also had the possibility to learn about good practices and exchange ideas with their peers in the dedicated discussion rounds. The virtual tour of an in-prison Therapeutic Community in the Republic of Moldova connected the participants in real time with the programme’s residents undergoing therapy. Thus all questions relating to the effectiveness of therapy, personal motivation and attitude could be asked directly of the residents. Another live tour by a formerly incarcerated social entrepreneur from the Netherlands has demonstrated how the ultimate goal of successful reintegration could be achieved.

Finally, the webinar served to discuss concrete needs of the participating countries and possible actions that could be implemented with the assistance of the Pompidou Group.