Full Constitution
as adopted by the General Council, Dublin, June 2007

1. Name
The name of the Organisation shall be the European Prison Education Association (EPEA).

2. Aims

(a) The aims of the association shall be:

(i) To promote education in prison according to the Recommendation No. R (89) 12 of the Committee of Ministers to member States of the Council of Europe (1989).

(ii) To support and assist the professional development of persons involved in education in prison through European co-operation.

(iii) To work with related professional organisations.

(iv) To support research in the field of education in prison.

(b) ‘Education in prison’ is defined as formal, informal and non-formal education provided for all persons who are under the supervision of the judiciary, whether sentenced or awaiting trial, and whether serving a sentence in prison or in the community.

(c) ‘Persons involved’ are defined as all those working in the field of education in prison and in related disciplines.

3. Membership

(a) Full membership is open to individuals and organisations involved in the field of prison education, or in related areas with offenders or ex-offenders, in Europe. Associate membership is open to others.

(b) The Steering Committee shall have the right to accept or reject applications for membership of the association.

(c) An annual membership subscription shall be charged for each category of membership as determined from time to time by the Steering Committee.

(d) Voting at meetings shall be restricted to full members as follows:

(i) individual member: one vote

(ii) organisations: two votes for each organisation. Organisation representatives may not also vote in an individual capacity.

(e) Postal ballots shall be restricted to full members as follows:

(i) individual member: one vote

(ii) organisation: two votes per organisation.

(f) The Treasurer shall maintain an updated register of all members and this shall be available on request to any member.

4. Elections
All the elections within the association shall be by secret ballot and by means of the single transferable vote.

5. Organisation

(a) Branches
Country members in any country which has its own prison system may form a branch affiliated to the association subject to:

(i) having at least 10 individual members of the EPEA,

(ii) its affiliation being approved by the Steering Committee.

(iii) its adherence to the rules and policies of the Association. Branches may, if desired, divide into sub-units. Each country’s branch shall elect two liaison persons to represent it on the General Council, at least one of who should be in daily contact with prisoners.

(b) Regional Section

(i) There will be 5 Regions consisting of at least three countries, which may be formed with the agreement of the relevant liaison persons and the approval of the Steering Committee, or as determined by General Council

(ii) Each region will have one Regional Representative elected to the Steering Committee from among the members of the constituent countries of that region.

(iii) The composition of Regional sections may be altered with the agreement of the relevant countries and the approval of the Steering Committee, or by General Council.

(c) The General Council

(i) The General Council shall consist of the two liaison persons from each affiliated country together with the officers of the association.

(ii) It shall be convened at least once every two years.

(iii) It shall determine policy of the association in accordance with the constitution.

(iv) Liaison Persons who are unable to attend General Council can authorise another member of their branch to vote in their place. This authorisation must be in writing and given to the Secretary prior to the General Council Meeting.

(d) The Steering Committee

(i) The Steering Committee shall consist of officers elected by a postal ballot of members and members elected by Regional Sections.

(ii) Each person elected to officership of the association – with the exception of the Chairperson – shall be elected for a three year period.

(a) Chairperson: The person elected shall serve for one year as Deputy Chairperson, followed by three years as Chairperson.

(b) No one member can serve more than 6 consecutive years on the SC (except for the Chair who can serve to a maximum of 7 years) without taking a subsequent break of 3 years before being allowed to take part in any reelection. If a Steering Committee member leaves before reaching their maximum term they may return after an absence of 3 years.

(iii) Each officer shall be responsible to the Steering Committee for the proper discharge of his or her duties.

(iv)The Steering Committee shall administer the association in line with policies determined by the General Council.

(v) The Steering Committee shall meet at least three times every two years.

(vi) Vacancies arising within the Steering Committee during a term of office may be filled for the remainder of the period by the Steering Committee itself.

(vii) The Steering Committee can co-opt non-voting specialists if they so wish, at their discretion and for a period of time and a schedule of tasks that they deem appropriate. The Chairperson will invite such individuals to Steering Committee meetings as dictated by the agenda.

(viii) A group of 4-7 individuals who have contributed to the growth and formation of the EPEA shall be constituted as advisers to the S t e e r i n g Committee and the Association. These individuals shall be offered such a role by the Steering Committee.

6. Notice and Administration of Meetings

(a) General Council Meetings

(i) Three months notice shall be given of this meeting.

(ii) The meeting shall be called by the Secretary.

(iii)Notices of motion shall be received by the Secretary no later than six weeks prior to the meeting and circulated to participants no later than 21 days prior to the meeting.

(b) Steering Committee Meetings

(i) Two months notice of Steering Committee meetings shall be given to Steering Committee members.

(ii) Meetings of the Steering Committee shall be called by the Secretary

(iii) The quorum for Steering Committee meetings shall be 4.

(c) Regional Sections and Country Branches Regional Sections and Country branches shall devise rules and procedures for conducting their own meetings and business. These rules and procedures may be referred by any member to the Steering Committee or General Council for approval.

7. Finance

(a) All monies raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the aims of the Association and for reasonable expenses.

(b) The Association shall keep proper accounts.

(c) Bank accounts shall be agreed in the name of the Association. The Steering Committee shall authorise, in writing, the Treasurer of the Association and up to three other members of the Steering Committee to sign cheques on behalf of the Association. The Steering Committee shall determine the number of signatures required on transactions.

(d) The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of this Organisation in such a manner that will permit a successful audit by a competent auditor.

8. Alterations to the Constitution

(a) Alterations to this constitution shall receive the assent of no less than two thirds of those present and eligible to vote at a General Council meeting and the assent of more than half of those voting on a ballot of members.

(b) A proposal to change the constitution must be received by the Secretary no later than two months prior to a General Council meeting and be circulated one month prior to the meeting.

9. Dissolution

If the Steering Committee, by a simple majority of its full membership, decides that it is necessary to dissolve the association it shall call a General Council meeting for this purpose, giving the normal notice (as in 6 (a) iii above). A motion favouring dissolution must be approved by two-thirds of those voting at a General Council meeting. Any remaining money shall be disposed of as decided by the meeting.

Amendment 1

GC in Manchester 2011: Under Section 6 b (iii) change to read: ‘The quorum for the Steering Committee meetings shall be 1 Officr together with 4 voting Steering Committee members‘