Council of Europe warns of overcrowding in Romanian prisons

The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture has reported severe conditions and critical overcrowding within Romanian prisons and police detention centers. Following inspections conducted in 2025 across facilities in Botoșani, Bucharest-Rahova, Craiova, and Iași, as well as juvenile centers in Craiova and Târgu Ocna, the report found that Romanian prisons are operating at 119.5 percent capacity.

Inmates often face cramped living conditions, with some having only two to three square meters of space in dilapidated cells characterized by inadequate furniture, worn bedding, and infestations of insects and cockroaches. The Committee recommends a minimum of four square meters per person in shared cells.

While the report noted improvements in police conduct and praised a ‘zero tolerance’ policy toward mistreatment, it also highlighted reports of physical abuse, including against children. Recommendations include training for non-coercive interrogation, increased technological support, and the establishment of specialized investigative bodies within the prosecution.

Additionally, the Committee addressed healthcare concerns, noting a shortage of medical staff and a need for better mental health services. It called for an end to the use of mechanical restraints, limits on tear gas, and a cessation of the practice of carrying batons at all times. The report also stated that self-harm and suicide attempts should not be treated as disciplinary offenses. In response, Romanian authorities indicated plans for infrastructure expansion and modernization through investments scheduled for 2026–2030.