Modern Alternatives to Imprisonment and the Future of the Prison System Discussed at International Events in Poland
Between 23–25 September 2025, Poland hosted two major international events that brought together senior prison and probation service officials, experts, and researchers from across Europe: the 14th EuroPris Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the 29th Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services (CDPPS). Both events were attended by representatives of the Lithuanian Prison Service and served as important platforms for dialogue on the future of corrections and the promotion of humane, effective penal policies.
The events were officially opened by Waldemar Żurek, Minister of Justice of Poland, Renata Niziołek, Director General of the Polish Prison Service, and Hugh Chetwynd, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).
The 14th EuroPris Annual General Meeting was inaugurated by Caron McCaffrey, President of EuroPris. During the meeting, updates were presented on the work of the EuroPris Staff Wellbeing, Future in Prisons, and Prison Security expert groups. Members engaged in thematic discussions and highlighted that the final Staff Wellbeing Seminar will be held in Vilnius in October 2025.
EuroPris Executive Director Gustav Tallvin presented EuroPris Action Plan 2024, Financial Report, and Budget 2025–2026, all of which were unanimously approved by the members. The recently launched EuroPris internship initiative, enabling selected professionals to undertake job-shadowing placements in other European countries, was also discussed.
EuroPris Board Member Rait Kuuse introduced the new nominations for the Board, followed by elections. Researchers Toon Molleman, Maaike van de Boois, and Camille Racette presented the results of their study on reducing prison overcrowding, which sparked an engaging roundtable discussion.
The event concluded with the Prison Achievement Award, which this year was granted to the Turkish Prison Service for its innovative implementation of the principle of normality at the Sivrice Open Women’s Prison, under the initiative titled “Where There’s Life, There’s Hope.”
The subsequent 29th CDPPS Conference focused on the question: “Can we move away from the overuse of penal sanctions?” Keynote addresses were delivered by Annie Devos, Head of Probation in Belgium and President of the CPT, and Caron McCaffrey, Director General of the Irish Prison Service. Both speakers underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between prison and probation services to ensure more balanced, rehabilitative justice systems.
Delegates participated in four thematic workshops addressing the use of data and risk assessment tools, health and trauma management, support for children with incarcerated parents, and strategic crisis management in correctional institutions.
On the final day, a University of Exeter researcher presented a report on neurodiversity and mental disorders in the criminal justice system. Closing remarks were delivered by CPT President Alan Mitchell and Renata Niziołek, who emphasized that imprisonment should not be viewed as the sole form of punishment. Instead, they called for the development and implementation of individualized, humane alternatives to incarceration.
Both events reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to modernizing correctional systems, promoting rehabilitation, and safeguarding the wellbeing of both staff and persons in custody.
Last updated: 29-10-2025
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