We advocate for implementation of humane prison conditions and the improvement and updating of international standards in line with evolving human rights law.
- We advocate for prison rules and policies to be brought into line with international standards, including for the implementation of the recently revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).
- We highlight the negative impact of overcrowding on prison conditions and promote the reduction of unnecessary imprisonment, including through the use of non-custodial alternative measures and sanctions.
- We promote independent external monitoring mechanisms to oversee conditions in places of detention, in particular with a view to preventing torture and ill-treatment.
- We provide advice and practical tools to support the work of detention monitoring bodies, in particular with regard to assessing the conditions of vulnerable groups such as children and female prisoners.
- We undertake research on solutions to prison overcrowding and on the development of alternatives to prison, for example on the use of probation and parole in East Africa and in South Asia (Pakistan).
- We draw attention to the particular needs of women prisoners, in compliance with the UN Rules on the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules).