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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 […]

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Our ambitions for 2020-2023

This year PRI is celebrating 30 years of accomplishments in developing and promoting fair and effective criminal justice systems across the world. Today, we set our trajectory for the coming decade, launching our new strategy for 2020-2023. The decade we are entering will determine whether the world is able to sustain and promote human rights, […]

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We are 30!

Over 30 years, we have had many successes, working in more than 90 countries. We are proud of our past achievements and look forward to the years ahead.      We believe in what Nelson Mandela said: “No one really truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.” We believe that […]

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PRI to launch Global Prison Trends on 21 May 2019

Alongside the Thailand Institute for Justice, PRI will launch the fifth edition of Global Prison Trends on Wednesday 21 May 2019, at the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Global Prison Trends outlines key developments and trends in the use and management of imprisonment worldwide. In 2019, the 52-page report will also contain […]

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PRI hosts first regional conference on combatting violent extremism and radicalisation in prison

Last week, PRI’s Central Asia office hosted a regional conference bringing together representatives from five countries to share experiences on effective prison management of violent extremism offenders. Data shows that the number of those convicted of violent extremist and terrorist crimes is growing, and there are concerns in some Central Asian countries that prisons have served as […]

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Women’s Power Breakfast highlights need for gender sensitivity and equality in justice systems

The under-representation of women in justice system institutions and its impact on justice system outcomes were the focus of a Women’s Power Breakfast in Warsaw on 19 September 2018, during the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting. The event was co-organised by Penal Reform International, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and […]

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ODIHR and PRI publish new resource on Nelson Mandela Rules

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) published a new tool on 9 August 2018 to support the effective implementation of minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners. The resource, produced jointly with Penal Reform International (PRI), was launched initially online. The Guidance Document on the Nelson Mandela Rules – Implementing the […]

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PRI to co-organise conference on women in prison

Penal Reform International and the Vance Center are co-organising a conference on Women in prison: evidence, advocacy and reform, in Bogota from 5–7 September 2018. The conference will bring together 45 women prisoners’ rights advocates from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe to share information about conditions of women’s imprisonment in their respective countries and regions and […]

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PRI publishes latest annual report

PRI has published its latest annual report, which outlines the impact of our work and achievements from 2017. The report, which includes messages from PRI’s Executive Director Alison Hannah and PRI’s Chair Dirk van Zyl Smit, showcases the work of PRI’s regional offices as well as our international advocacy work, and explores the impact of our publications and resources. […]

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Experts discuss Global Prison Trends at London panel event

Yesterday, Penal Reform International hosted an expert panel event in London to mark the UK launch of Global Prison Trends 2018. Published last month, Global Prison Trends 2018 is the fourth edition in PRI’s annual flagship Global Prison Trends series. The panel event, which took place at Linklaters LLP, brought together experts to discuss the most urgent and emerging issues […]