In 1987, Justice and Peace of Barcelona created a committee to deal with the situation at Catalonia’s prisons with three objectives:
1. Promoting more harmonious interpersonal relations in the prisons and assisting the prisoners on a personal basis. With the approval of the Regional Office of Prison Services and Rehabilitation, the Committee organises social, cultural, educational, leisure and sporting activities at various prisons and makes regular visits to sick prisoners.
At present there are programmes at the men’s, women’s and youth facilities in Barcelona, the prison in Brians and the hospital prison unit in Terrassa.
2. Closely monitoring the respect for the human rights and the dignity of inmates. The Committee studies and monitors the situation at Catalonia’s prisons and the inmates’ living conditions and, when it feels it is necessary, it goes to the authorities or the courts to demand specific changes or the investigate the investigation of violations.
3. nforming the public about the situation in the prisons and promoting a culture that is less punitive and more respectful of human rights. This is done through lectures, discussions, and seminars, talks at schools, the publications of reports, appearances in the mass media.
Through the Committee on Prisons Justícia i Pau is currently a member of the Prison’s Social Welfare Panel, a body created by the Department of Justice to promote the participation of social-welfare organisations in the prison system.
In November 2002, the Committee published a report on the situation in Catalonia’s prisons. It was based on a broad sampling of data gathered during observations inside the prisons by committee members and others supporting the work (volunteers, employees, attorneys among others) and by prisoners, former prisoners and their relatives. On April 23, 2003 the report was presented to the Catalan Parliament’s Justice Committee.
In June 2005, the Committee published a report (in catalan) on conditions related to the free practice of religion in prisons and assistance to inmates by religious organisations. Both reports can be ordered from Justícia i Pau: premsa@justiciaipau.org
On April 5, 2006 a discussion session entitled “Arriving in prison”, "L'arribada a la presó" (in catalan), the first in a series on prisons, was held at the Justícia i Pau office.
Information for those interested in volunteering in Catalonia’s prisons
Those interested in participating in one of Justícia i Pau's volunteer projects should submit an application and CV. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and complete a special course approved by the Department of Justice.
Websites of interest:
