This week in a special edition of Inside Europe we take an in-depth look at prisons. Stories include -- Overcrowding in Britain’s prison system -- Could a Norwegian prison be a model for the rehabilitation of prisoners? -- Inmates making airwaves in Poland -- High fashion ‘Made in Jail’ -- Women’s prison in Romania hits the high notes and the prison that visitors are queuing up to stay in. Tune in to Inside Europe on the radio or sign up for the Inside Europe podcast! You can also download the programme from the website.Studio Guest Jan de Cock – author of “Hotel Prison”Now have you ever wondered how Russian prisoners celebrate their release? Or how festive Christmas is when your cellmate has just passed away? Or which prisons have a kindergarten? Today’s Inside Europe guest certainly did.Jan de Cock travelled the world searching for the meaning of life behind bars. On his travels, he encountered petty thieves, con-men and aeroplane hijackers and shared cells for weeks on end with musicians and actors, murderers and mothers who had stolen food for their children. He lived alongside rats, fleas and locusts, all the time keeping a diary of his experiences, and recorded them all in his book “Hotel Prison” which has been published in the Flemish original, Dutch, German, French and English. Today he joins us to talk about these experiences in the relatively safe environment of the Deutsche Welle Studios in Bonn. Interview: Rob Turner/Jan de CockOvercrowding puts the squeeze on Britain’s prison systemThe issue of overcrowding as in too many prisoners having to share in Britain has led to a rise of suicide cases in British jails.Indeed Lawyers have warned that dangerous criminals are left to roam the streets to avoid clogging up the courts. The government has been accused of trying to build its way out of the crisis and is planning to increase prison capacity in Britain and that is despite the fact that in Britain has more people locked up than anywhere else in western Europe. Now critics say resources would be better spent on offenders' rehabilitation, crime prevention and victim support. Reporter: Lars BevangerPoland prison goes on airIn one prison in Poland prisoners have been particularly creative.Inmates and guards at a prison in the north-east of the country have decided to develop a local television network, which will also reach out to the local community. Reporter: Rafal Kiepuszewski Norway prison attempts to develop trust and responsibility in prisonersIn the middle of Norway's Oslo Fjord lies one of Europe's most unusual prison facilities. The island prison of Bastøy was once a state institution for delinquent youths.For the past 20 years Bastøy has been a prison for male imates nearing the end of their sentences. Any similarities to Rikers Island in New York or the now defunct Alcatraz in San Francisco ends upon arrival. Around 110 male prisoners live and work on the island in conditions that authorities hope will prepare them for a normal life after their sentence. Reporter: Guy Degen Made in JailIn Italy, an entrepreneurial group of ex-cons is producing its own goods -- loudly and proudly marketing them as Made in Jail.The Made in Jail label makes everything from logo t-shirts and sweats to handbags and sells their goods through shops in downtown Rome and at roadside restaurants across the country. Megan Williams spent an afternoon in the Rebibbia prison in Rome and has this report on how what inmates learn on the inside makes for good business on the outside.The world’s hippest prisonIn the Slovenian capital Lubljana, people from around the world are practically queuing up to get in to.That’s because the prison in question has been converted into a unique hostel that’s been described as the “hippest in the world”. Helen Seeney checked in to find out why.Romanian inmates hit the high notesRomania’s biggest women’s prison who have formed and still sing in a very successful choir.Julian Muresian went to visit the prisoners and sample a little of their musical offerings.

[ Sat, 25 Oct 2008 07:05:00 +0000 ]

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