After the 2004 conference in Belgrade, the Zagreb conference is expected to result in a memorandum on understanding and an action plan for a joint program of the Council of Europe and the European Commission which is aimed at developing an efficient prison system with respect for basic human rights and standards and promotion of cooperation in Southeast Europe.
The conference, which is taking place at the Zagreb County Court, pooled senior officials of the Council of Europe, the Croatian Justice Ministry, former and current heads of the Swedish, Austrian, Italian, Czech and Estonian prison systems, and professors from prominent European universities.
Opening the conference, Justice Minister Ana Lovrin said that Croatia's judicial reform included activities aimed at improving the prison system, notably ensuring greater respect for prisoners' and detainees' human rights. She added that this was being done by expanding the existing prisons and building new ones, as well as through the permanent education of prison staff.
She went on to say that judicial practice had proven that the introduction of alternative types of punishment, such as socially useful work and probation, was justified because it prevented the overcrowding of prisons.
Christos Giakoumopoulos, director of the Council of Europe's Directorate General of Human Rights, said that many prisons in Europe did not have adequate conditions and were overcrowded.
Buildings are not the only important thing. It is also important to raise public awareness about the humane treatment of prisoners because they will be reintegrated in society and must not become dehumanised, Giakoumopoulos said.
He added that respect for human rights was the central issue of prison systems, which is within the jurisdiction of the Council of Europe committee for the prevention of torture.