Today the highest human rights body of the United Nations starts in session as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit countries around the globe and presents threats to the health and life of people in contact with criminal justice systems. First on the agenda is a presentation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, […]
On 4 June 2020, Professor Dirk van Zyl Smit gave the ‘Roger Hood’ Lecture at the University of Oxford. Titled ‘The People Strike Back? Life imprisonment and other ultimate penalties in a constitutional democracy’ the lecture looked into the fight of penal reformers to make ultimate penalties more humane. Penal reformers ‘sought, with some success, […]
George Floyd’s killing in the United States city of Minneapolis in Minnesota has shed light on systemic racism within law enforcement agencies across the US. Such discrimination is a global problem, as we have documented in Global Prison Trends 2020, minority groups are over-represented in many criminal justice systems, seeing higher rates of arrest, pre-trial […]
The spread of the novel Coronavirus in Central African Republic (CAR) is a major concern. PRI is working to contribute to the various efforts undertaken to minimise the effects of this disease in the prison environment, alongside the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission (MINUCSA). PRI and MINUSCA engaged with the civil society platform, in […]
Penal Reform International (PRI) is delighted to announce the election of four new members to its Board to strengthen the organisation’s expertise, networks, strategic vision and financial resilience. The newly elected members are: senior criminologist and advocate Dr Catherine Appleton from the University of Nottingham; outgoing Executive Director of International Corrections and Prisons Association and former […]
An effective and human rights-based approach to law enforcement requires legitimacy, non-discrimination, and public scrutiny. Trust in law enforcement agencies must come from commitment to the law and international standards, respect for all people and tolerance to those who come into contact with law enforcement, and exemplary in behaviour of law enforcement agents. Police can […]
Penal Reform International is sad to note the death of Professor Hans Tulkens, a dedicated prison reformer, first chairperson of PRI, long-serving PRI Board Member and Honorary President. Professor Tulkens was one of the most distinguished prison reformers of his generation. He was appointed director of the Netherlands Prison Service in 1975 and rapidly became […]
Prisons and justice systems are facing unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 global pandemic. At this launch event for PRI’s new report Global Prison Trends 2020, international leaders and experts will address chronic issues that have led to this human rights and public health crisis with people in prison being so vulnerable – and critically, […]
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 […]
2020 marks ten years since the UN Bangkok Rules on women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women were adopted by the UN General Assembly, which called for alternatives to imprisonment for the case of women, particularly for minor offences. Yet, drug policies continue to disproportionately impact women and female prison populations continue to rise in […]