Directorate General

The 26th Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services “Gaining an Edge over the Pandemic” will be held in Funchal on the island of Madeira, Portugal on 20-21 September 2021. It is co-organised with the Portuguese prison and probation service. On its agenda will be as a priority topic the impact COVID-19 has had on the mental health of offenders and staff as well as on the enhanced use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). It will take stock of the situation and will discuss the lessons learned and the way forward. The attention of the participants will also be drawn to the Council of Europe's current work on the treatment of offenders with mental health disabilities and disorders as well as on the ethical and organisational aspects of the use of AI by prison and probation services. At the Conference will also be promoted the latest Council of Europe standard-setting text regarding the assessment, management and reintegration of persons accused or convicted of a sexual offense.