Fragile and conflict-affected settings: Prisons and criminal justice systems

This policy briefing on criminal justice systems with case studies on Yemen and the Central African Republic is published for both the international community and national authorities to improve responses in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

In conflict and fragile settings, the various aspects of criminal justice systems – from law enforcement and prosecution, to courts and the prison system – collapse alongside other core government functions.
In restoring peace and the rule of law, there is a need to focus on these different arms of the justice system in a coordinated way to ensure accountability (including for war crimes) and to restore government functions.

One of the vital aspects in re-establishing a justice system that is overlooked, or frequently neglected, is the prison system. In this briefing, Penal Reform International outlines the need for an increased focus on the role of penitentiary institutions in peacebuilding as a requisite for achieving a functioning judicial system, core government functions.

Ten recommendations are included for restoring peace and the rule of law by building effective criminal justice systems to guide actors working in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.