Report
Global Prison Trends 2026
Global Prison Trends 2026 is the twelfth edition of the flagship annual publication providing a data-driven analysis of key developments in prison systems worldwide.
Languages: English
Resources listing
Guidelines
Deaths in prison: A guide for detention monitors
This guide supports detention monitors in preventing, investigating and responding to deaths in custody. It offers practical guidance grounded in international standards, with recommendations to strengthen oversight, improve data collection, and uphold the right to life in detention settings.
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Brochure
A five-year Strategy: Criminal justice reform with human rights at its core
PRI launches a new five-year strategy for 2024-28 focusing on rehabilitation, human rights and reducing criminalisation.
Languages: English
Report
Implementation of the National Strategy for the Demilitarisation of Prisons in the Central African Republic
In January 2019, the Central African Republic (CAR) approved a “National Strategy for the Demilitarisation of Prison Establishments“, developed in partnership with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Penal Reform International (PRI). Following its adoption, the National Demilitarisation Strategy was incorporated into the Justice Sector Policy 2020-2024. […]
Languages: English, French
Training
Trainer’s Manual: Introduction to the Nelson Mandela Rules International Training Programme
This publication has been developed to guide trainers leading 4-day in-person training courses for prison staff designed by the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Penal Reform International (PRI) in partnership with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (SPPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This manual […]
Languages: English
Guidelines
Investigating deaths in prison: A guide to a human rights-based approach
Investigating deaths in prisons is an essential part of a state’s human rights responsibilities, including the obligation to guarantee the right to life and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Investigations of deaths in prisons provide crucial evidence to find out what went wrong, provide redress to families, […]
Languages: English
Annual Report
Annual Report 2022
This Annual Report outlines the impact of our work and achievements in 2022, including: In 2022 we supported national authorities, civil society and other stakeholders across 15 countries in five regions to bring change so that ultimately the human rights of people in contact with criminal justice systems are better protected. We put people at […]
Languages: English
Report
Global Prison Trends annual series
Global Prison Trends is PRI's annual flagship series. Published every year since 2015, the series identifies topical developments and challenges in criminal justice and prison policy and practice, and contributes to the monitoring of crime trends and operations of criminal justice systems.
Languages: English
Guidelines
Guidance document on the European Prison Rules
The European Prison Rules, adopted by the Council of Europe, set out standards on the management of prisons and the treatment of people in prison. They apply in all Council of Europe member States and provide critical guidance to prison staff on how to protect and safeguard the human rights of people in prison – […]
Languages: English
Annual Report
Annual Report 2021
PRI’s Annual Report outlines the impact of our work and achievements in 2021 nationally, regionally and internationally. Highlights in 2021 included: Publication of the Global Prison Trends 2021, in partnership with the Thailand Institute of Justice (our annual flagship publication); 17 expert blogs, covering topics from period poverty in prison to corporal punishment in penal systems, […]
Languages: English