16. Welcomes the progress achieved as regards reform of the prison system; however, remains seriously concerned at the degrading conditions in some prisons, in particular overcrowding and an inadequate healthcare system; emphasises the need to respect the principle that persons in detention should be subject to appropriate treatment, in according with the UN principles;

17. Welcomes the progress achieved as regards reform of the prison system; however, remains seriously concerned at the degrading conditions in some prisons, in particular overcrowding and an inadequate healthcare system; emphasises the need to respect the principle that persons in detention should be subject to appropriate treatment, in according with the UN principles;

It should be noted that, in its judgment of 15 July 2002, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that, under certain conditions, prison overcrowding constituted degrading treatment.

15. Notes that the economic problems, the opening-up of borders, organised crime and the increase in the severity of prison sentences as well as the failure to renovate prisons over the last 40 years have led to serious overcrowding, and therefore encourages the Hungarian authorities to allocate the necessary financial means to rehabilitate existing prisons and build a second new prison centre, to help solve the problem of prison overcrowding in Hungary;

100. Is alarmed at the deterioration of the conditions of life in prisons, notably owing to overcrowding; calls on the Member States to ensure that human dignity is respected in prison, as regards the material conditions, medical care, home leave, access to work and cultural or sporting activities and the strict compliance with the prison rules adopted by the Council of Europe; points out that one of the objectives of penitentiary law is to rehabilitate those who have been deprived of their freedom with a view to reintegrating them into society, and therefore urges the Member States to devote maximum attention to living conditions in p ...[+++]risons and to respect for the dignity and the fundamental rights of prisoners;

Of course this logic directly opposes the reduction of overcrowding in the prison system.