Archive

OSCE/ODIHR meeting explores importance of independent detention monitoring to protect human rights while preventing violent extremism and radicalisation

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), […]

PRI live-streams award-winning play to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

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 […]

Preventing violent extremism in prison: joint UNDP, UNODC & PRI consulation

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 […]

PRI attends launch of the Irish Penal Reform Trust’s Progress in the Penal System report

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 […]

PRI wins President’s Award at the 2017 ICPA conference

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 […]

PRI to co-host intersessional briefing on human rights and drug policies

After the crucial contribution of the Human Rights Council to the UNGASS, the impact of drug policies – including on human rights – remains a global concern. On Wednesday 1 November, PRI will co-host an intersessional briefing on human rights and drug policies together with the core group of member states working on this issue, namely, the […]

PRI to host breakfast briefing on Global Prison Trends 2017

Next week, PRI will host a breakfast briefing to present analysis of global crime trends and the use of imprisonment, including emerging issues and challenges, from the Global Prison Trends 2017 report. The briefing, which will take place on Wednesday 25 October at the ICPA 2017 conference in London, will also look at the contribution […]

PRI’s Central Asia office urges transfer of prison health services to the Ministry of Health in Kazakhstan

At a special session on health and the right to health services in closed institutions, held in Astana on 28 September 2017, PRI’s Central Asia (CA) office was invited by the Commission on Human Rights, under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to deliver a co-report on behalf of civil society organisations on the […]

PRI launches anti-corruption initiative in Kazakhstan

PRI’s office in Central Asia has launched a new project to develop government accountability and good governance in the law enforcement system in order to combat corruption in Kazakhstan. The project aims to improve mechanisms for increasing accountability and anti-corruption, and build interaction between the government and civil society. The project’s first working meeting was held […]

PRI issues joint statement on the impact of the ‘war on drugs’ on human rights

This week Penal Reform International and the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) made a joint statement on drugs and human rights at the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council. The statement highlighted how a range of well-documented human-rights violations – such as increased police violence and mass incarceration of people involved in non-violent, low-level drug […]