The 2011 visit focused on the treatment and conditions of detention of persons held in Idrizovo Prison, which had been the subject of many recommendations following previous visits. The report on the visit states that the practice of some prison officers resorting to violence against inmates persisted, inter-prisoner intimidation/violence remained a significant problem, and the vast majority of the establishment’s inmates continued to be held in totally unsatisfactory conditions (both material and in terms of activities). The report states that fundamental change is required to address these serious shortcomings and recommends  the national authorities to develop a professional management approach within prisons.

As regards persons held on remand in Skopje and Tetovo Prisons, the report reiterates the Committee’s long-standing recommendations to ensure all prisoners accommodated in multi-occupancy cells each have at least 4m² of living space and that material conditions are improved. And it criticises the regime on offer to remand prisoners which results in them being confined to their cells for 23 hours a day. The CPT also makes specific recommendations concerning the treatment of juveniles held both on remand in Skopje Prison and in the “Tetovo” Educational Correctional Institution.

In their response, the national authorities provide information on the action taken to address the Committee’s recommendations, notably in respect of imposing severe disciplinary measures on prison officers using excessive use of force on inmates, and as concerns improving the material conditions in the prisons visited.

The CPT’s report on the November 2011 visit and the response of the national authorities are available on the CPT's website http://www.cpt.coe.int.

Both documents have been made public at the request of the national authorities.