The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has welcomed positive trends in prisoner treatment in Germany, but outlined a number of serious concerns.
The delegation - which visited police stations, prisons and psychiatric clinics throughout Germany- received no allegations of deliberate physical ill treatment or inter-prisoner violence, and praised material and health-care facilities.
It expressed serious concern over the lack of psychiatrists for inmates with severe mental disorders and recommended a review of arrangements in certain prisons. It also reiterated misgivings about the use of mechanical restraint in police custody and the continuing practice of questioning juveniles without the presence of either a lawyer or a trusted person.
No allegations of ill treatment were received in psychiatric clinics and health care staffing appeared adequate. However, the CPT proposed improvements to treatment plans and to procedures for anti-androgen treatment (chemical castration) for sex offenders and criticised the use of seclusion.
The report and executive summary are available, along with a response from the German authorities. German version - report, executive summary and response.
Press release
