U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Developments in the Prison Systems of Central and Eastern Europe

NCJ Number
156088
Author(s)
R Walmsley
Date Published
1995
Length
42 pages
Annotation
Developments in the prison systems of central and eastern Europe are described, based on visits to seven countries, information from questionnaires, documents from the participating countries, reports by international experts, and conference papers during 1992-94.
Abstract
The research focused on Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine. The analysis noted that recent changes to the prison systems of this part of Europe, especially during and since the period 1989-91, have been greater and more widespread than at any time in the last 45 years. Despite the negative background to reform, derived mainly from the totalitarian past and the changes that took place during 1989-91, many positive developments have occurred in organizational structure, national prison administrations, prison management, inmate services. However, many problems remain. In the current circumstances, it is impossible fully to implement international standards. However, assistance and cooperation throughout the continent may lead to continued progress and improved practice in all European correctional systems. Tables