PRISONS : POLISH OBJECTIONS TO THE TRANSFER OF SENTENCED PERSONS.

• Position: Brief article

Following the rejection of the Framework Decision on the transfer of sentenced persons in the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 5 December, Parliament's rapporteur Ioannis Varvitsiotis (EPP, Greece) called for a more positive approach during the German Presidency of the EU. Varvitsiotis' report on transferring prisoners was adopted in June 2006 by a majority of 488 for and 53 against. Serving a sentence in the prisoner's native member state would, in theory, increase social rehabilitation.

"I am disappointed with the result and the rejection by only one country, Poland, of the draft Framework Decision on the transfer of sentenced persons," said Varvitsiotis. "It is sad to see such a long and difficult process ending without a result." Varvitsiotis repeats the argument that the veto by Poland illustrates the problems faced by not having adopted the European Constitution. "I am afraid that in the future, we will face many similar cases," said Varvitsiotis

Poland has been accused...