Prison management and human rights

Abstract

Prison constitutes a true archetype of the human condition, a microcosm that reflects the macrocosm of the outside world. "The degree of a state's civilization is measured by the degree of civilization of his prisons", said Voltaire. It is, by definition, a place of atonement for a sentence, an environment where prisoners are temporarily deprived of their freedom for having committed a crime. The following are the questions this thesis puts is what happens inside European correctional institutions? What rights do the inmates have? Where can they apply for protection and under what rules? What theories apply in the world of prisons? Are human rights protected within Europe? How can a manager apply an approach that respects human rights and safeguards prisoners on a daily basis? These simple questions introduce the subject matter of this research, which focuses on the management of penal institutions from a human rights perspective, using the extensive case law produced by the European Court of Human Rights. The issue under consideration has a relevance that goes beyond national borders, since it involves fundamental human rights, which are both internationally recognized and protected. Past violations and abuses brought before the European Court of Human rights in the understanding of wrongdoings by the management of prisons while enabling all stakeholders to make the necessary improvements for the future.