Prisons: the rule of law, accountability and rights (https://www.tcd.ie/law/research/PRILA/) (PRILA) is a project, funded by the European Research Council, which explores prison oversight. It pays particular attention to prison inspection and monitoring, complaints systems, and access to the courts. PRILA examines the legal frameworks for prison oversight, the structures for oversight which exist in Europe, and the lived experiences of people in prison, prison staff, and staff of oversight bodies of such work.

PRILA is hosting a one-day conference at the Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland on Thursday, November 26 2020, which will bring together scholars, practitioners, people with lived experience, NGOs, policymakers, and oversight bodies to explore key issues in prison oversight. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative work conducted across Europe, the conference will provide an opportunity to discuss PRILA’s research findings on matters including:

1. How people in prison experience prison oversight;

2. How prison staff experience in prison oversight;

3. The types of structures for prison inspection and monitoring in the EU + UK, their activities, and powers;

4. How a visit from the CPT is experienced by a prison.

Confirmed speakers and chairs include:

Professor Sonja Snacken https://vub.academia.edu/SonjaSnack

Professor Valerie Jenness https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/jenness/

Dr. Jamie Bennett https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/people/jamie-bennett

Professor Nicola Padfield https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/people/academic/nm-padfield/65

Dr. Ian Cameron http://www.cjini.org

Patricia Gilheaney, Inspector of Prisons http://www.inspectorofprisons.gov.ie

Professor Tom Daems https://www.law.kuleuven.be/linc/english/staff/00043491

Registration is free, but limited. Refreshments will be provided.

Three bursaries covering travel (up to a maximum of €500), accommodation for the duration of the conference, and meals will be provided for early career researchers (PhD students/ postdoctoral scholars). To register your interest in such a bursary, please email: prila@tcd.ie. Information on the application process for a bursary will be made available in the coming weeks.

Contact: prila@tcd.ie

For further updates, see @prila_tcd

https://www.tcd.ie/law/research/PRILA/

This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement. No [679362]).