We work globally to see prison conditions that prioritise the dignity, rehabilitation, and human rights of people in prison
- We advocate for and support the updating of laws, policies, rules, and regulations relating to detention standards to bring them in line with international standards, such as the UN Nelson Mandela Rules.
- We empower prison staff and leadership to run efficient, human rights-based prisons to support safe, rehabilitative facilities. Capacity-building, tools, the development of policies (Standard Operating Procedures), connecting peers and tackling the most challenging issues, PRI works practically to see more humane prisons across the globe.
- We implement practical projects to improve infrastructure and systems, for example support the establishment of prison health clinics, support recruitment of appropriate staff.
- We provide support to people in prison and their families through programmes for family reunification and upskilling initiatives through vocational training – often with partners.
- We address prison overcrowding recognising the harms it brings to people detained in and working in prisons. For instance, we promote the reduction of unnecessary imprisonment, including through the use of non-custodial alternative measures and sanctions and decriminalisation of poverty and status.
- We promote independent external monitoring mechanisms to oversee conditions in places of detention, including to prevent torture and ill-treatment. When in place we support such monitoring bodies through tools and capacity-building initiatives.
- We document trends in prisons globally to support evidence-based decision-making, and greater attention to the work of prison administrations and the plight of people detained.
- We draw attention to the particular needs of specific populations in prisons, for example women, children, older persons, racialised groups, etc.