On average 88 out of 100,000 people in Europe are imprisoned, some in inhumane conditions or detained without trial. MEPs want action.

The News: Behind bars

The European Court of Human Rights  overlooks the EP in Strasbourg.

During Wednesday's debate on prisons,  it was the Member States in the dock.

as situations of inhumane treatment  continue to be presented to the Court.

The situation of prisons in Italy  is a democratic emergency.

My former MEP colleague Marco Pannella,  a very brave man,

We have to give our support for  fundamental rights, including in prison.

On average, 88 of 100,000 people  in Europe are behind bars.

Problems surround pre-trial detention,  suicide rates, overcrowding

and foreign prisoner numbers,  currently standing at 150,000 and climbing.

The MEPs reeled off cases  of human rights breaches.

One even called for  the EU Arrest Warrant's suspension

until conditions in all EU jails are up to  standard, but some feel it is a bit drastic.

You don't need to get rid  of the Arrest Warrant

you need to know that if you send someone  to another Member State

that you can trust that good care  will be taken of that person.

Consensus surrounds the need for action.

The EC's green paper on prisons aims  to force EU States to clean up their act.

However, 1/3 of EU countries  have yet to ratify the protocol

on the UN Convention against Torture.  It may be a while before justice is served.