Conditions of Imprisonment-Victimization and Conflicts in European Prisons

The purpose of this study was to examine the prison conditions and the level of victimization in seven countries in Eastern and Central Europe. These countries include Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Russia, and Sweden. In 2004, data on selected aspects of prison life were collected by the Mare Balticum research project. Results indicated that the level of fear of victimization among prisoners was higher in prisoners in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland than in Finland, Sweden, and Germany and the living conditions and the overall quality of life in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland were worse than in Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Recommendations are included.