Pre-Trial Detention System: Identifying Priorities for Reform
January 26, 2026
Pre-trial detention is often a person’s first encounter with the justice system. In Ukraine, many pre-trial detention centres operate in buildings that are more than a century old, are overcrowded and struggle to meet basic standards. People who have not yet been convicted spend weeks or months there, often in conditions that are worse than those in prisons. This reality affects not only those held inside, but also staff working under constant pressure, and public trust in the justice system as a whole.
Last week, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine brought together Ukrainian institutions and international partners at its Knowledge Hub in Kyiv for a roundtable to reflect on how pre-trial detention functions in practice and what needs to change.
At the heart of the discussion was the recognition that pre-trial detention is a particularly vulnerable moment. Treatment during this period has a lasting impact on people’s sense of fairness and their ability to move forward once legal proceedings are over. Participants underlined that individuals who may later be found not guilty should not be exposed to harsher conditions than convicted prisoners. They also stressed that dignity and security depend on professional staff who are properly trained, supported and protected in their daily work.
The discussion also highlighted the need to assess progress under the current penitentiary reform framework and to rely on evidence when shaping future decisions. Clear priorities, strong interagency coordination and effective cooperation with international partners were identified as key to delivering lasting improvements.
EUAM Ukraine has been working with the penitentiary system since mid-2025 through analysis and dialogue with Ukrainian counterparts. This exchange helped build a shared understanding of challenges and set a clearer direction for targeted follow-up. EUAM Ukraine remains ready to provide strategic advice, analytical support and EU best practices to support more humane and fair pre-trial detention.
