Solitary confinement of prisoners is still widely used in many countries in Europe and around the world, although many studies suggest that it is often extremely damaging for prisoners’ physical and mental health and not conducive to their resocialisation. So how to mitigate this damage, and what alternative measures can be used to achieve the same aims? These were the main topics discussed in Strasbourg on 24 and 25 September at a regular meeting of representatives of prison administrations of 35 Council of Europe member states.

Opening the event, Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs emphasised that many Council of Europe and other international standards and legal instruments require solitary confinement to be used only as the measure of last resort and for a shortest possible duration, while certain categories of prisoners such as minors or pregnant women, among other, should under no circumstances be subjected to it.

During the two days the participants received first-hand information on the Council of Europe standards, as well as on the standards and findings of the CPT and the latest case-law of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the use of solitary confinement across the continent. These presentations were supplemented by an overview of the possibilities of the Council’s co-operation sector in helping member states to adapt and implement these standards and judgments of the Court on the national soil.

Several member states presented their national experience and good practices with respect to minimising the damaging effects of solitary confinement and preserving the dignity of inmates in isolation, as a source of inspiration for their peers. A special interactive session of the event was dedicated to the International Guiding Statement on Alternatives to Solitary Confinement, issued by an international group of prison administrators, correctional staff and experts on prison reform, solitary confinement and mental health under the auspices of Associazione Antigone, an Italian NGO, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel in May 2023. Guided by Council of Europe consultants, the national delegates reflected on the practical implementation of possible alternatives to solitary confinement in the daily life in prison, monitoring of such measures and developing the necessary skills through staff training.

The event provided the participants with ample opportunities for networking with colleagues from other countries and developing contacts for future bilateral exchanges and mutual learning.