Torres Novas Prison Establishment

Torres Novas Prison Establishment (from now on “Torres Novas Prison”) is a prison in Torres Novas, located in central Portugal in the Santarém district. The facility falls under the supervision of the General Directorate of Rehabilitation and Prison Services (the DGRSP) and the establishment of this organization reflected a broader framework of progressive development and reform in the national penal system. The Torres Novas Prison is housed in the former Comarcã Prison and became independent in 1995. The facility gained a lot of media attention due to the launch of a new pilot project about vertical gardens at the facility.

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SMALL-SCALE

Torres Novas Prison has room for 40 residents and is fully occupied on average. This number falls just above the recommended scale of 30. The facility is housed in one building, consisting of two wings, the main wing and the former women’s wing. The residents do not have individual bedrooms but sleep in dormitories. In addition, there are shared bathrooms, living room, kitchen and a visitors’ room.

SMALL-scale

Torres Novas Prison has room for 40 residents and is fully occupied on average. This number falls just above the recommended scale of 30. The facility is housed in one building, consisting of two wings, the main wing and the former women’s wing. The residents do not have individual bedrooms but sleep in dormitories. In addition, there are shared bathrooms, living room, kitchen and a visitors’ room.

about

Torres Novas Prison has room for 40 residents and is fully occupied on average. This number falls just above the recommended scale of 30. The facility is housed in one building, consisting of two wings, the main wing and the former women’s wing. The residents do not have individual bedrooms but sleep in dormitories. In addition, there are shared bathrooms, living room, kitchen and a visitors’ room.

Torres Novas Prison Establishment is a:

Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

40 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Torres Novas Prison Establishment is a:

Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

40 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Torres Novas Prison Establishment is a:

Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

40 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

DIFFERENTIATION

The Torres Novas prison targets adult men in the final phase of their prison sentence. To qualify for placement in an “open regime” (regime aberto no exterior), individuals must have served a quarter of their sentence, hold a successful exit permit and have no pending proceedings involving pre-trial detention.

Security at Torres Novas prison, according to Portuguese levels, is described as medium. The smaller-scale nature of the facility and the exclusive open regime provide strong relational security. The facility focuses on mutual respect, and not creating fear. The environment fosters closer relationships between staff and residents, which helps resolve conflicts more effectively.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Although Torres Novas prison adheres to general Portuguese prison rules, there are unique opportunities for residents to participate in activities and work within the community. There is an initiative in partnership with Upfarming allowing residents to grow vegetables in a vertical garden within the facility. This project not only helps fight poverty by donating vegetables to the Red Cross for distribution to vulnerable families but also promotes social responsibility among residents. In addition, two people from the prison participated in a community project (working in the community), but due to its success, the number has increased to nine. The prison also offers various educational and cultural activities, in which some projects culminate in large community exhibitions and debates that involve both community members and residents. Other projects, such as theater performances, bring residents to local schools.

Differentiation

The Torres Novas prison targets adult men in the final phase of their prison sentence. To qualify for placement in an “open regime” (regime aberto no exterior), individuals must have served a quarter of their sentence, hold a successful exit permit and have no pending proceedings involving pre-trial detention.

Security at Torres Novas prison, according to Portuguese levels, is described as medium. The smaller-scale nature of the facility and the exclusive open regime provide strong relational security. The facility focuses on mutual respect, and not creating fear. The environment fosters closer relationships between staff and residents, which helps resolve conflicts more effectively.

Community-integration

Although Torres Novas prison adheres to general Portuguese prison rules, there are unique opportunities for residents to participate in activities and work within the community. There is an initiative in partnership with Upfarming allowing residents to grow vegetables in a vertical garden within the facility. This project not only helps fight poverty by donating vegetables to the Red Cross for distribution to vulnerable families but also promotes social responsibility among residents. In addition, two people from the prison participated in a community project (working in the community), but due to its success, the number has increased to nine. The prison also offers various educational and cultural activities, in which some projects culminate in large community exhibitions and debates that involve both community members and residents. Other projects, such as theater performances, bring residents to local schools.

Visited during the wish-eu project

Although Torres Novas prison adheres to general Portuguese prison rules, there are unique opportunities for residents to participate in activities and work within the community. There is an initiative in partnership with Upfarming allowing residents to grow vegetables in a vertical garden within the facility. This project not only helps fight poverty by donating vegetables to the Red Cross for distribution to vulnerable families but also promotes social responsibility among residents. In addition, two people from the prison participated in a community project (working in the community), but due to its success, the number has increased to nine. The prison also offers various educational and cultural activities, in which some projects culminate in large community exhibitions and debates that involve both community members and residents. Other projects, such as theater performances, bring residents to local schools.
more information

the DGRSP

Torres Novas Prison Establishment

Report Torres Novas Prison Establishment

English report

Visited by RESHAPE and RESCALED (12-04-2024)

RESCALED

the DGRSP

Torres Novas Prison Establishment

Report Torres Novas Prison Establishment

Report

Visit

Visited by RESHAPE and RESCALED (12-04-2024)

WISH-EU

the DGRSP

Torres Novas Prison Establishment

Report Torres Novas Prison Establishment

Report

Visited by RESHAPE and RESCALED (12-04-2024)

RESCALED

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