Implementing international standards on prison food: the Polish case

Abstract

This article examines the implementation of Council of Europe and United Nations standards regarding prison food in Poland, focusing on the gap between formal legal compliance and substantive realization in practice. Combining doctrinal analysis with qualitative empirical research conducted in selected Polish prisons and pre-trial detention facilities, it assesses how international norms are reflected in domestic regulations and everyday detention practices. The findings show that, while Polish law largely aligns with international standards at the normative level, significant deficiencies persist in their practical implementation. These are particularly visible in the qualitative dimensions of food provision, including variety, nutritional balance, individualization, and respect for human dignity. The article argues that regulatory models relying primarily on quantitative benchmarks are insufficient to ensure the dignity-centered approach embedded in international human rights standards.