On 14 October 2022, a total of 20 staff and experts of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) received training on prison monitoring in Ankara. As the 2022 EU Country Report for Türkiye highlights the new dynamics in the NPM in tackling human rights issues and in engaging in constructive dialogue with the civil society, the Council of Europe took this opportunity to mark its cooperation with the National Preventative Mechanism, a partner institution in the implementation of the project, by organising this training for its staff.
Methodology for carrying out prison monitoring visits, effective reporting techniques and communication skills and interview techniques in line with international standards, were some of the topics covered during the training session. The training resulted in a common agreement that enhanced co-operation and coordination between all the actors involved in prison monitoring activities in Türkiye which will improve protection of the rights of prisoners. The participants benefitted from the discussions specifically on the role of the NPM in prison monitoring, including the importance of the NPM’s dialogue with prison directors, staff and prisoners, the importance of respecting the “Do no harm” principle and presenting effective recommendations.
The training was delivered by the staff of the NPM, following the organisation of the training of trainers sessions in Istanbul in May 2022, as well as publication and dissemination of the Prison Monitoring Handbook for Ombudsman and NPM staff.
The cascade training session was organized within the scope of the Project on “Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Civil Monitoring Boards in Turkey in line with the European Standards” implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Sweden, Switzerland, the Republic of Türkiye, the Human Rights Trust Fund and Canada.
