PRILA Experiencing Prison Oversight: Interviews with NPMs and oversight bodies

Key Outcomes & Research Highlights

PRILA is creating a new kind of scholarship focused on accountability work in prisons and its effects. The research team engaged in extensive comparative legal, qualitative, and quantitative research in Ireland, Germany, Norway and Scotland.

• Comparative Legal Analysis: The project analysed the regulation of inspection, monitoring, and complaints. It found that while international human rights law has advanced, European human rights law in this area requires strengthening.

• First Cross-European Survey: PRILA conducted the first-ever survey of all (then) EU28 countries to identify existing prison oversight bodies. It highlighted considerable variation in how OPCAT bodies function and are resourced.

• Penal Power & Legitimacy: Created the first comprehensive account of how external mechanisms of oversight affect penal power and penal legitimacy.

• Policy & Practice: The project seeks to improve how the rule of law applies in prisons, aiding policymakers in creating more just and effective prison systems.