The European Prison Rules - the most document of international penology

This presentation deals with the historical backround, evolution, influence and presupposed future development of the European Prison Rules. This important international document was adopted by the Council of Europe and recommended to its members in Resolution (73)5 of 1973, the new present version of the Euro­pean Prison Rules was introduced in 1987 (Resolution of the Council of Europe in number 3). However, the roots of the European Prison Rules lie more obviously in the growth of international cooperation and the penal reform movements in the field of prison system in the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early years of this. At that time international conferences were convened in the major European capitals and in Washington in which the leading personalities of the more developed prison administration took part. The process of international consultation and cooperation has continued to this day.