The project aims at ameliorating the situation of and adherence to human rights in long-term imprisonment and similar sanctions (i. e. more than five years of custody). This also comprises improving the living conditions and the chances of rehabiliation of the prisoners.

The bases of our survey are a statistical analysis of secondary sanctioning data and an outline of the correctional infrastructure as far as custodial institutions and their organisation are concerned in the participating states with respect to long-term imprisonment. In addition, two correctional institutions in each participating country shall be subject of an empirical study with a multi-modal approach which considers the situation and perception of the prisonsers themselves as well as the general framework of long-term custody in each institution. For data collection, instruments shall be used that were developed for two previous studies: the first on male prisoners in closed custody in general (the “Mare-Balticum Prison Survey”), and the second on women’s imprisonment. One particular questionnaire is of particular importance, because it addresses the prisonsers themselves who are asked to assess their living conditions. These instruments are being revised with regard to the particular problems of long-term prisoners.

In addition to the afore-mentioned data on living conditions in custody, data shall also be collected on psychic and mental problems, especially on traumatisations. Irrespective of the length of incarceration, empirical studies show a prevalence of psychiatric/mental illnesses of up to 95%. The prevalence of traumata as an important risk factor for mental disorders in the prison population is estimated at 95% as well, with 40-60% of the prisoners developing a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even the predominantly serious offence that they have committed as well as the living conditions in custody may have a traumatising effect. Moderator variables of these detrimental effects of incarceration appear to lay in individual characteristics of the prisoners – for instance personality traits, age and health – as well as their attitude towards the offence and their prison sentence, and living conditions that they experience in custody.

The data shall be analysed with particular regard for practical implications. The main objective is to empirically identify “best practices” for long-term imprisonment as well as risk factors that pose a threat to needs-based practice in corrections. In addition, the level of need for psychiatric/psychological treatment shall be determined.