URGENT UPDATE: The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has just announced alarming preliminary findings regarding the treatment of detainees in Montenegro. Following a visit from November 19 to 27, 2025, the CPT’s report highlights severe conditions faced by prisoners across various detention facilities.
The CPT’s assessment underscores that many detainees are subjected to inhumane treatment, often confined to their cells for 23 hours a day. In some instances, detainees have access to as little as 2.5 m² of living space. The committee emphasizes that over half of the incarcerated population—56%—are pre-trial detainees, with many spending more than six years in investigative custody.
The report raises critical concerns about the limited contact detainees have with the outside world, severely restricting their access to meaningful activities or work. Basic necessities like toilet paper, hygiene products, and bedding are not consistently provided by authorities, forcing detainees to rely on family members for these essential items. Despite repeated recommendations from the CPT over the years, no significant measures have been taken to rectify these dire conditions.
Additionally, the situation at the Dobrota Psychiatric Hospital remains troubling. CPT notes that overcrowding continues to plague the facility, with many patients still sleeping on mattresses on the floor. The hospital is reportedly struggling to manage a diverse patient population, including forensic patients and children, despite the establishment of a dedicated children’s psychiatric unit in Montenegro.
While some progress has been observed in social welfare homes, particularly at the “Komanski Most” institution, concerns persist regarding the inadequate number of caregivers and the challenges in addressing the needs of distressed users, especially those with severe autism spectrum disorders.
The Montenegrin authorities responded to the CPT’s inquiries in a letter dated January 22, 2026, but the full report detailing the findings from November 2025 will not be released to the government until July 2026. The preliminary observations and the government’s response were published with the consent of Montenegrin officials.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely for any immediate actions that may arise from these grave findings. The call for urgent reforms in Montenegro’s prison system has never been more pressing.
