Shaping the future of prisons in Europe, and Europe in prisons

Papachristopoulos, Christos ORCID: 0000-0002-4637-1400 (2024). Shaping the future of prisons in Europe, and Europe in prisons. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Structural shortcomings across EU prison systems give rise to systemic risks of human rights violations. This constitutes an issue for the EU on a principled and functional basis both. The prison reality undermines the EU values, objectives, and anti-crime judicial cooperation policies. The EU has acknowledged and responded to the problem. Actual EU initiatives in prison, while commendable, do not satisfactorily address the issue. A functionalist approach dominates, with the principled task of rescuing the EU values assuming secondary place. Going forward, the EU should reframe its current strategy, placing individual prerogatives at the heart of the discussion. It should further examine the potential of harmonising detention standards via an EU Prison Charter – though it is doubtful whether the current form of the Treaties legally allows for such a possibility. Finally, the EU should account for the indirect, yet significant impact of its judicial cooperation and criminal justice policies on the individual detainee.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):