Moldova prison system faces reforms and criminal subculture challenges

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has noted progress in Moldovan penitentiaries regarding medical assistance and facility renovations following visits to seven prisons. However, the committee emphasized the urgent need to combat the criminal subculture and informal hierarchies within the prison system, which have persisted for nearly a century.

To improve inmate welfare, Moldovan authorities have approved a policy to transfer prison medical services to the Ministry of Health, aiming to align care with public health standards. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice is developing a new regulatory framework for a progressive detention system, allowing for changes in detention regimes based on inmate behavior.

In a related regional context, the Moldovan Ministry of Justice is also working to expand prison capacity by at least 500 places by the end of 2026, focusing on infrastructure, digitalization, and electronic monitoring. Efforts are also underway to reorganize the National Probation Directorate into the National Administration of Penitentiaries.