Description: There is a long history of prisoner complaints and the involvement of independent bodies handling those complaints. While there is burgeoning research exploring the limitations and best practices to
ensure rights are upheld in prisons, this tends to ignore the role of those who handle prisoners’ complaints and their experiences. Little is known about how complaint handling is experienced by those who investigate the complaints, as well as by the prisoners themselves who initiate a
complaint procedure. This project will fill this gap by comparing experiences of both prisoners and investigators across three EU jurisdictions, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands. Research suggests that despite reforms, prisoners continue to face barriers in complaining. Concerns among prisoners include a lack of power to bring about real change, and a lack of trust linked to uncertainties surrounding the independence and ability of the prison service to guide the members of the complaint bodies. This study - through interviews and observations with both those who submit complaints and those
tasked with handling complaints - aims to obtain an overview of how different actors understand their role within the framework of prison oversight. Through a comparative study in three jurisdictions this project will provide insight into what draws people to play a role in prison oversight, and how understandings of that role can - in turn - shape the experiences and expectations of prisoners.
Promotors: Diete Humblet
Researcher: Sophie van der Valk
Funding: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Duration: 2025 - 2028