Council of Europe to Inspect Andorra Prison in 2027 Amid Union Resource Concerns

The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) will visit Andorra in 2027 as part of its periodic inspections, alongside Albania, Croatia, Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey. The announcement coincides with the CPT's 2025 annual report, released this week, which flags concerning trends across Europe including renewed allegations of ill-treatment in detention settings, police impunity issues and prison overcrowding.

Individuals and organisations are invited to submit relevant information on conditions for people deprived of liberty in these countries via the CPT's contact page. The committee may also conduct ad hoc visits in 2027 and could postpone some inspections to 2028 if needed.

Andorra's Centre Penitenciary de la Comella currently operates at moderate capacity, with 74 inmates across 151 places—an occupancy rate of 49% as of 2025 data. The prison population is mostly male, evenly spread by age groups, with over half being foreigners. Around 44% serve firm sentences, while the rest are in pre-trial detention or awaiting judicial decisions. Inmate sentences have trended shorter in recent years.

Local prison unions have raised concerns ahead of the visit. The Sindicat del Personal Penitenciari (SPP), through spokesperson Francesc Pérez, stated the facility runs professionally but faces structural constraints. It lacks sufficient resources, staff and equipment to carry out duties effectively, with installations failing to match current demands.

The Sindicat Penitenciari Andorrà (SPA) echoed these points, criticising unclear management direction and work proceeding by "inertia". It highlighted inadequate facilities, staffing shortages and unappealing working conditions that hinder recruitment. The union noted the government's recent purchase of adjacent land for future expansion but argued the timeline is too long. It had proposed buying a nearby building for quicker module additions, which was not pursued.

Police training aligns with CPT recommendations on zero-tolerance for violence, incorporating intervention protocols, dignified detention practices and equality standards in initial, ongoing and command courses. Andorra has undergone four prior CPT visits, all with published reports.

The CPT report urges governments to address overcrowding through penal policy reviews, detention alternatives and strict capacity limits. It also flags issues in pre-trial and high-security regimes, mental health care gaps, and the need for tighter oversight on isolation and restraints.