The joint training, held on 11-12 June in Bucharest brought together medical professionals from the penitentiary system and civilian hospitals of Romania to look into the fundamental human rights of prisoners and explore possibilities of cooperation.

The participants had a possibility to learn more about the international legal framework of human rights and health care of persons deprived of liberty, intersection of healthcare in detention setting with that for the general public, health and mental health promotion, role of healthcare professionals in preventing and combating torture and many other topics. Each topic was discussed in the light of the respective international standards, good practices, national context and practical challenges. Facilitated discussions allowed not only to bring up the difficulties and exchange information but also to seek joint solutions.

This was the first-of-its-kind joint training, and it is anticipated that the discussions would create a basis for further strengthening the cooperation between penitentiary and civilian hospitals in order to provide efficient health care to detainees.

The event was organised within the framework of the project “Further strengthening the provision of health care and mental health in prisons and other closed institutions in Romania” financed by the Human Rights Trust Fund of the Council of Europe.