Prisons

Government

Assembleia da República Greenlights Lei de Política Criminal 2026-2028 With Prison-Crew Forest-Cleaning Mandate, Stop-and-Search Powers in Zonas de Criminalidade de Impacto Social and a Priority-Crime List Headed by Arson

Parliament passed the Lei de Política Criminal (Criminal Policy Law) for 2026-2028 on 12 June, putting prison-crew forest-cleaning and police pat-downs in high-impact-crime zones onto the statute. PSD, Chega, IL and CDS-PP carried; Livre, PCP, BE opposed; PS, PAN, JPP abstained.

12 June 2026

social-crosspost

Twenty-Eight Inmates Die in Portuguese Prisons Through Early June 2026 — DGRSP Tape Logs 20 Disease Cases, Seven Suicides and One Homicide as Families Press for Inquiries

DGRSP data shows 28 deaths inside Portuguese prison estate from January through early June 2026: 20 from disease, seven suicides, one homicide. Mortality stays among Europe's highest as the guards' union flags both staffing and clinical shortages.

7 June 2026

Justice

More Than 200 Inmates of Lisbon's Estabelecimento Prisional Refuse to Return to Cells in Peaceful Protest Against Conditions in Ala B — GISP Intervention Unblocks the Stand-Off as Director António Leitão Promises an Afternoon Hearing

Over 200 inmates of Lisbon's EPL Ala B refused to return to cells Monday morning, sitting on the floor and demanding to be received by the prison director. GISP intervention unblocked the situation; director António Leitão promised an afternoon hearing. EPL is scheduled for gradual closure by 2028.

5 May 2026