In December 2017, Penal Reform International signed an agreement with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to provide support in developing a strategy for demilitarisation of the prison service. MINUSCA has been working in Central African Republic since 2014, supporting efforts to address the root causes of conflict and […]
A meeting held at PRI’s Head Office in London on 23 January 2018 gathered a number of experts to discuss the mental health and well-being of prisoners, in order to provide input into a publication that will give guidance to front-line prison staff to identify and support prisoners’ mental health needs. The publication, which will […]
On Wednesday 17 January, PRI’s Central Asia Regional Director Azamat Shambilov took part in a US Congress hearing, organised by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, on ‘Advancing Human Rights through International Prison Reform’. The hearing, which was hosted by Congressmen Randy Hultgren and James P. McGovern, explored the problems facing prisons around the world and examined the […]
In May 2018, PRI will co-organise the 2018 World Congress on Justice for Children, which will take place at the UNESCO House in Paris. The Congress, on 28-30 May 2018, will address three major issues, which are: the global trend towards children’s involvement in violent extremism and possible responses; the need for more effective ways […]
On 8 December 2017, PRI’s Central Asia office was presented with a European Union award recognising PRI’s work to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups. The European Union in Kazakhstan hosted an International Human Rights Award ceremony in Astana to mark International Human Rights Day, which is celebrated globally every year on 10 December, the day the […]
The importance of independent detention monitoring bodies in assessing whether state measures to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalisation that lead to terrorism (VERLT) in prisons are human-rights compliant was the focus of a workshop organised by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in partnership with Penal Reform International (PRI), […]
Saturday 25 November was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and to mark the day PRI live-streamed the award-winning play Key Change, from the Open Clasp Theatre Company. A New York Times Critics Pick, Key Change highlights the complex journey that women who come into contact with the criminal justice system face, and […]
Two UN organisations – UNDP and UNODC – joined with PRI to hold a joint consultation with international experts and practitioners in Amman this month. The aim was to take stock of current knowledge and exchange information on good practice in addressing the issue of violent extremism in prison. Regional and global experts from over […]
On 24 October, Alison Hannah, PRI’s Executive Director, spoke at the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT)’s launch of its new project, Progress in the Penal System (PIPS). PIPS is a major three-year project monitoring human rights and best practice in Ireland’s prison system. It sets out 35 standards for the prison system, together with indicators […]
Executive Director Alison Hannah with the President’s Award The International Corrections & Prisons Association (ICPA) held its 19th AGM and conference in London from 22–27 October. With a theme of ‘Innovation in Rehabilitation: Building Better Futures’, it gathered over 600 prisons and corrections experts from around the world to exchange information about innovatory initiatives and good […]