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Anti-torture committee report: Progress in Romania in preventing police and prison ill-treatment
The Romanian authorities have made significant progress in tackling the ill-treatment of individuals detained by the police and in prisons. However, detention conditions remain very poor in police stations and prison overcrowding continues to be a serious problem, despite the authorities’ efforts to address it, concludes the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) in a report released last week.
The report contains the findings of the CPT´s visit to the country in 2025 along with the response from the Romanian authorities. The CPT visited five police detention facilities, four prisons — in Boto?ani, Bucharest-Rahova, Craiova and Ia?i — and two detention establishments for children and young adults in Craiova and Targu Ocna.
The CPT observed an improvement in the conduct of Romanian police officers and welcomed the authorities’ zero-tolerance policy towards ill-treatment. The vast majority of individuals deprived of their liberty interviewed said they were treated with professionalism and respect. Nevertheless, the delegation received some allegations of physical ill-treatment, including from children, such as slaps and punches.
To further combat ill-treatment and impunity, the authorities should take additional measures such as training in non-coercive interviewing, expanding technological support and providing prosecutors with their own investigators.
Material conditions in police detention facilities remained deplorable, with issues of overcrowding, humidity, dilapidated mattresses, poor hygiene, and inadequate food. Many detention facilities are still located below ground level, limiting access to natural light. Detained people were not offered any meaningful activities apart from access to outdoor facilities, often small and insufficiently equipped, for one hour per day.
The CPT considers that prolonged detention under these conditions could amount to degrading treatment. The authorities should take urgent measures to offer appropriate material conditions and regime. Further, the CPT reiterates that persons placed in pre-trial detention should be under the authority of the National Prison Administration.
Prisons: overcrowding and living conditions still problematic
The CPT recognises the Romanian authorities’ efforts to reform the prison system, but notes that overcrowding persists, with prisons operating at 119.5% capacity. The prison population has risen by 20% since 2020. Overcrowding was evident in all four establishments visited, with the highest levels at Ia?i (140%) and Boto?ani (130%) prisons.
Clear efforts to improve living conditions were undermined by overcrowding. Many detained persons were offered only 2 to 3 m² of living space, with poorly maintained cells, inadequate furniture, worn bedding and frequent infestations of bed bugs and cockroaches.
The Committee urges the Romanian authorities to ensure that all persons are provided with at least 4 m² each in multiple-occupancy cells. Further, they should analyse the factors contributing to overcrowding and adopt policies to stabilise or reduce the prison population.
The CPT noted the significant progress made in preventing ill-treatment by prison staff. However, inter-prisoner violence remains a concern at Ia?i Prison, particularly among young adults placed in pre-trial detention and adults placed in the maximum-security section.
Staffing levels remain insufficient in detention areas in all the prisons visited, with only a few custodial officers overseeing large numbers of prisoners. The CPT calls for urgent staffing reinforcement, a reassessment of roles and the dissolution of special intervention groups. It advocates for increased staffing in maximum security units and a more dynamic security approach.
The CPT finds that, while out-of-cell activities have been expanded, much more needs to be done to ensure all detainees have access to purposeful activities, work, and vocational training.
Healthcare provision has improved notably in the documentation and reporting of injuries. However, staffing shortages persist, especially for general practitioners and nurses.
Measures should also be taken to guarantee medical confidentiality, ensure gender-specific screening for women prisoners and develop a strategy for inmates with substance use issues. Mental healthcare also requires critical reinforcement.
Regarding security, the CPT calls on the authorities to properly regulate the use of padded cells, and to stop the use of mechanical restraints. Likewise, tear gas should not be used in prison except in exceptional circumstances and with appropriate safeguards. The routine carrying of truncheons, as observed in Craiova Prison, should be ended. The CPT also reiterates that self-harm and attempted suicide should not constitute disciplinary offences.
Detained children: enhanced focus needed
The CPT invites the Romanian authorities to reassess the location of educational and detention centres to better reflect residents’ origins and community reintegration, as well as to improve staff recruitment. Most residents spoke positively of staff, yet the delegation received allegations against staff of ill-treatment, including slaps and baton blows, at Craiova, and of excessive use of force at Targu Ocna. Inter-resident violence was under control at Craiova, but frequent and severe at Targu Ocna, including sexual assaults. The CPT calls for an urgent review of violence-prevention policies and an enhancement of pedagogical approaches. Furthermore, staff working in these centres should not carry batons.
Living conditions were generally acceptable. However, improvements are needed at Targu Ocna. Consideration should be given to offering single-room accommodation. The Craiova centre provided commendable education and activity programming, while at Targu Ocna, the regime offered remained limited, hampered by a lack of staff.
In their response, the Romanian authorities notably indicate that they are pursuing their plans to expand and modernise the prison estate, with investments foreseen over the period 2026-30. Staffing needs in the prison system have been reassessed, and reinforcement of staffing levels across the system is being pursued, within the existing legally mandated budgetary limitations.
The repeal of the provisions requiring prison healthcare staff to certify that prisoners are fit to undergo disciplinary punishment and those making self-harm and attempted suicide disciplinary offences will be pursued when the relevant legislation is amended.