On February 12, 1987, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation (87)3 on European Prison Rules. These rules are a revised version of the European Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisons of January 19, 1973. The six rules of Part I reflect the fundamental philosophy on which Europe's prison systems are based. Rule 1 states that due respect for human dignity is obligatory. Rule 2 requires that the prison rules be applied impartially without regard to race, color, gender, language, religion, political views or other opinions, national or social origin, birth, and economic or other status. Rule 3 states that the treatment of persons in custody shall be such as to sustain their health and self-respect and help develop skills and behaviors that will facilitate adjustment upon release. Rule 4 mandates an inspection of penal institutions and services by qualified inspectors appointed by a competent authority. According to Rule 5, the protection of the individual rights of inmates is to be monitored and enforced by an independent body authorized to visit inmates. Rule 6 provides that the rules be made available to staff and to inmates in their national languages and in other languages so far as this is reasonable and practicable. Other rules profiled in this paper pertain to the management of prison systems, personnel, treatment objectives and regimes, and additional rules for special categories of inmates.