COVID-19 has resulted in a disaster in prisons across the world. Over 310,000 cases have been recorded in prisons and over 2,750 people in prison have died from COVID-19. Data collection and transparency on the true numbers remain an issue.
Criminal justice systems were in crisis long before this global pandemic. Now, governments are struggling to contain the virus in places of detention, putting the lives of both people in prison and the general population at risk.
PRI is working to protect the lives and rights of people in contact with the criminal justice system during this time. We are also adapting our existing criminal justice interventions to continue our vital work promoting fair and effective justice.
Donate now to fund PRI’s urgent efforts to protect vulnerable people living in prison from COVID-19.
Read more about the impact of COVID-19 in prisons worldwide and access resources for criminal justice policymakers and practitioners below:
– Why are prisons at particular risk of mass outbreaks of COVID-19?
Briefing note: Preventing harm and human rights violations in criminal justice systems
PRI briefing note published on 14 July 2020 on how criminal justice systems are responding to the crisis, how it is affecting people serving custodial and community sentences, and what action can be taken – now and in the longer term – to prevent harm and human rights violations.
Operational guidelines for professionals working with children in conflict with the law
A set of three practical guidelines developed by a group of organisations and experts, published in June 2020, to support professionals in the social workforce, security forces and legal profession handling cases of children in conflict with the law during the COVID-19 crisis.
Briefing note: Healthcare and human rights of people in prison
PRI briefing note issued on 16 March 2020 on the situation of the outbreak of a novel form of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevention measures in prisons and wider impacts of responses to governments on people in criminal justice systems.
PRI’s Executive Director message on COVID-19
We want to prevent COVID-19 ‘rampaging through places of detention’:
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 reminds us of the very essence of PRI’s existence. At this time, our mission is to ensure that no one is left behind and PRI is working to ensure that prison management, criminal justice authorities and governments around the world are informed, equipped and supported to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19.