As part of the EU-funded project “IMPACT”, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR), in cooperation with the Validity Foundation, organised a series of three online consultation workshops focused on monitoring the situation of detainees with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities in criminal justice settings.

Held between December 2025 and February 2026, the series brought together representatives of EU OPCAT National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), CRPD Independent Monitoring Mechanisms (IMMs), and selected international experts. Across three sessions, participants explored how standards, practices, and cooperation can be strengthened to better protect the rights of persons with disabilities deprived of liberty.

Across three workshops (15 December 2025, 15 January 2026, 19 February 2026), participants explored international and European standards, practical approaches to monitoring, and strategies for effective follow-up. Discussions highlighted the diversity of mandates and practices among monitoring bodies, while emphasising their shared goal of strengthening the rights of detainees with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities. Participants exchanged experiences on conducting monitoring visits, addressed common challenges, and identified promising practices, with particular attention to cooperation between NPMs, IMMs, and organisations of persons with disabilities, as well as the need for more practical, impact-oriented guidance.

Importantly, the series also opened up the opportunity to present the first recommendations by persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities consulted in the course of the project including those involved in monitoring teams or  with experience of deprivation of liberty. It further gave voice to the contribution of an expert with disabilities working in preventive monitoring and the testimony of an individual with experience of detention.

Overall, following an impact-oriented approach, the workshop series provided a platform for interactive exchange, reflection, and mutual learning across OPCAT and CRPD monitoring bodies in the EU, combining expert inputs, project findings and interactive discussions. With a practical, impact-oriented approach, it enabled in-depth exchange on challenges and promising practices.

The consultations will inform an EU-wide in-person consultation in Vienna and the development of a practical monitoring guidebook.