Interview
Enis Yavuz Yıldırım
Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses of Türkiye
Could you start by giving us an overview of the Directorate’s
vision for corrections in the country? What key focus areas have
been prioritised recently?
EYY: Our vision focuses on creating modern, rehabilitation-friendly prisons and probation units that prioritise respect for human rights for those deprived of their freedom. To achieve this, we continuously
improve the physical infrastructure of our prisons. Bringing the living conditions in our facilities as close as possible to the positive aspects of social life plays an important role in the reintegration process.
Recently, one of our main focus areas has been the modernisation of prisons and addressing capacity challenges. In this context, we have prioritised the construction of new, well-equipped facilities to ensure a healthy and secure environment, that is conducive to the rehabilitation process and provides tools to avoid reoffending.
In addition to new construction, we are conducting detailed analysis and project studies to raise the standards of institutions that were built in previous years to current standards, with the aim of ensuring that all individuals housed in these institutions benefit from similar services.
The Turkish Penal System is undergoing a major transformation not only in its physical environment but also in its technological infrastructure.
What needs and opportunities for improvement drive this investment in Turkish prisons and detention facilities? Can you share some details about recent construction projects?
EYY: Over the last 20 years, we have implemented a human-centered and modern transformation in our penal system. Since 2002, 396 prisons with inadequate conditions and outdated facilities have been closed, replaced by 305 new and modern prisons. In 2025, six new prisons will be operational, and by the end of 2026, an additional 52 new institutions are planned to be opened.
In our new institutions, the dormitory-based model has been abandoned in favor of a room system, providing housing conditions that respect human dignity and private life. In major cities, particularly in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, 22 campus-style prisons have been built. These campuses house multiple facilities, including closed and open prisons, alongside educational, healthcare, and social activity areas such as libraries, mosques, schools, hospitals, and daycare centers.
We have also taken significant steps in the areas of education and cultural development. Through cooperation protocols signed with the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we have increased access to education and cultural development for incarcerated persons. As part of this initiative, 49 Justice Vocational Training Centres and six Multi-Programme Anatolian High Schools have been established, alongside eight Justice Public Libraries.
Through these education and library projects, incarcerated individuals can develop vocational skills and earn certifications, improving their employment prospects post-release. They also enable young individuals in custody to continue their education uninterrupted, accelerating their reintegration into society.
In what ways do you believe these changes have impacted rehabilitation efforts of the Directorate? What progress can you
share in this area?
EYY: In our prisons, we implement comprehensive education, vocational development, and psycho-social support programmes aimed at contributing to the personal development of individuals and support their reintegration into society. In partnership with the Ministry of National Education, the “Education and Training Cooperation Protocol” has significantly expanded educational opportunities. In our vocational training centres, incarcerated individuals can obtain high school diplomas and certifications, such as journeyman and artisan qualifications. To date, 8,180 individuals have received these certificates, enabling them to find employment or start their own businesses upon release.
Through the Individualised Rehabilitation System (BİSİS) and the Research Evaluation Form (ARDEF), the risks of those in custody are being identified using scientific methods, with individualised rehabilitation plans created for them. Based on the Risk-Need Responsivity Model, this system provides a rehabilitation process tailored to the needs of each individual.
With the Psycho-Social Intervention Program (ARDIÇ) developed for convicted young persons, we aim to improve their reintegration into society. Additionally, we provide special areas and educational opportunities for children aged 0-6 who stay with their mothers in prison.
These environments support the children’s development while minimising the negative effects of the prison environment. Another project we have developed to support the professional development
of personnel working in the regional offices of the Ministry is the Individualised Personnel Training System, abbreviated as BİPES. This system, developed by the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses within the framework of the National Judiciary Network Project (UYAP) software, aims to conduct training activities in a standardised, transparent, collaborative, and planned manner. It ensures the efficient use of public resources and improves the quality of training.
The BİPES project was awarded first place among 20 projects at the World Summit on the Information Society organised by the International Telecommunication Union, in the category of Innovative Applications in Information and Communication Technologies. This prestigious award is a recognition of our project at an international level and demonstrates our ability to provide innovative solutions in the public sector.
JT: On the other side of the coin of the prison’s capacity growth, Türkiye’s prison population rate is the highest across all countries in the Council of Europe’s SPACE I 2023 report.
Which measures have been or are being considered to support alternatives to incarceration? What role can the Directorate play to promote this change.
EYY: Our General Directorate plays an active role in implementing alternatives to imprisonment and addressing existing capacity issues.
In our prisons, one of the main reasons for the current increase in the number of convicted persons is the strict criminal sanctions applied by our country for certain types of crimes. In particular, the strict criminal justice policies adopted in the effective fight against drug offenses. The deterrent aim of penalties for drug offenses and related crimes is extremely important for public health and safety, but it has led to an increase in the number of individuals convicted for such crimes in our prisons.
To address overcrowding, we are developing a strategic action plan that prioritises rehabilitation and promotes goals and strategies that will encourage alternative sentencing methods within our penal justice system.
Alternative judicial control measures to imprisonment, such as community service, drug rehabilitation, supervision and monitoring of convicts in the community through electronic methods, have been applied under the probation system for approximately 20 years in Türkiye. We are currently exploring new methods to expand the scope of electronic monitoring, such as tracking through biometric signature
systems, as alternatives to imprisonment.
Recent legislation now allows certain individuals in open prisons to work in public sector institutions under the supervision of prison personnel. Pilot implementations have already been launched, and as a result, 437 convicted persons are currently working in public sector workplaces. The number of cooperating institutions continues to increase.
How is technology being used within Turkish prisons to support modern correctional practices? Are there specific examples of innovations aimed at improving management and outcomes?
EYY: The Turkish Penal System is undergoing a major transformation not only in its physical environment but also in its technological infrastructure. In this context, our “Digital Rehabilitation” themed conference brought together important experts on the integration of digital technologies into rehabilitation processes. Through this event, we are taking concrete steps to support modern penal practices.
The use of digital technologies in correctional facilities provides significant benefits beyond rehabilitation, including enhanced security and a reduction in staff workload.
For example, our digital learning platforms and e-rehabilitation programmes not only help incarcerated individuals acquire vocational skills but also provide psychosocial support. Electronic monitoring and tracking systems enable safe rehabilitation for individuals in the probation process, supporting their reintegration into society.
While security continues to be maintained at the highest level in our prisons, technological advancements allow for more effective management of both internal and external security processes. For instance, under the ” Integration of Smart Technologies into Penal Institutions – ACEP Project”, incarcerated persons can now have video calls with their families, make purchases online from the canteen, and access healthcare services quickly through the E-Doctor application. Such initiatives are among the steps that facilitate the recovery process for incarcerated persons.
At the same time, our psychosocial support projects have gained momentum. With the launch of the Online Psychosocial Assistance Service in 2023, rapid intervention is provided during crises. Expert
psychologists conduct one-on-one online sessions in private rooms, offering intervention programmes tailored to each individual’s risks and needs. This project won an award at the ICPA Annual Meeting in
Singapore, gaining international recognition.
For foreign national individuals in prison, we have developed a Simultaneous Translation Device project to overcome language barriers. By providing multilingual translation through digital translation devices,
communication barriers are eliminated, creating a more inclusive environment.
Türkiye is now also set to host the ICPA Annual Conference in 2025 after exceptional circumstances led to a change in location. How do you reflect on Türkiye’s readiness and willingness to host such important events, and what does this say about its role in international cooperation and knowledge sharing?
EYY: Hosting the ICPA Annual Conference in 2025 is a responsibility that Türkiye takes on with great commitment. When circumstances changed, we recognised the importance of keeping this vital platform for global collaboration going.
Türkiye remains dedicated to strengthening international partnerships and is honoured to support dialogue among experts, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide. Our own institutions and professionals are always ready to contribute, both by sharing Türkiye’s advancements and learning from global best practices.
We firmly believe these international gatherings provide the ideal setting for meaningful exchanges that drive progress in correctional systems worldwide.
What are your overall aspirations and strategic priorities for the future of the Turkish prison system? What key changes do you anticipate or hope to see?
EYY: Penal systems are encountering a vast diversity in individuals’ profiles and types of crime, influenced by global sociological trends. This shift has made it essential for the personnel in our institutions to access current, comprehensive training content, which includes the characteristics of new generations of prison population groups. In this context, we periodically update our training materials to provide personnel at every level with access to up-to-date information, which we aim to further enhance with new technological integrations.
The probation system, operational since 2005, is regarded as the future of our penal system.
Currently managed through traditional electronic monitoring, we aim to broaden this work significantly in a short time with a unique technology project that we call BIOSIS, a software solution which does not require any hardware and enable the tracking of convicted persons via biometric signatures on their mobile devices. We are also closely monitoring how technology can offer additional benefits in this area in the future.
In order to improve the quality of healthcare services, we aim to increase the number of specialist healthcare personnel and establish healthcare facilities in each prison complex. Furthermore, with the ACEP Project, we plan to reduce external hospital referrals by facilitating remote access to healthcare services and to make these services more effective and efficient through wearable technologies in the future. In addition, we aim to provide an effective treatment and rehabilitation process in special rehabilitation centres for individuals with addiction problems. All these steps reflect our vision to provide comprehensive health and rehabilitation services in our prisons in line with human rights standards.
Enis Yavuz Yıldırım
Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses of Türkiye
Enis Yavuz Yıldırım is the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses of Türkiye and is also responsible for the Turkish Probation System. Yıldırım has served as a judge and public prosecutor, and Chief Prosecutor. He initially served as the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses from 2013 to 2017. After a tenure as a High Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, Yıldırım, was reappointed as the Director General of the Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses in 2022.
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