Resources listing

International Standard

Resolution on Mandela Rules from The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, April 2016

A resolution was adopted at the 58th Ordinary Session of The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights on the revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) The Resolution: encourages all stakeholders to draw inspiration from the Mandela Rules in order to fill the existing gaps in the applicable laws, policies […]

Languages: English

Model for Reform

Ten-point plan on reducing pre-trial detention

High rates of pre‑trial detention can be found on most continents, particularly in low income countries and states emerging from conflict. During 2015, PRI initiated a comparative research study into how bail works as an alternative to pre‑trial detention. The study found that while bail and other options for release pending trial are available in […]

Languages: English, Turkish

Model for Reform

Ten-point plan on reforming criminal justice responses to drugs

Ten steps to guide countries interested in moving away from solely punitive responses to drugs and in developing health and human rights-based approaches. This Plan was developed in partnership with the International Drug Policy Consortium.  

Languages: English

Briefing

The right of prisoners to vote: a global overview

In 2015, PRI commissioned eight international law firms – facilitated by Advocates for International Development (A4ID) – to review the extent of (dis)enfranchisement of detained persons in dozens of jurisdictions worldwide, and, where applicable, the conditions under which voting rights were restricted. In 45 per cent of the 66 countries surveyed, conviction to imprisonment is automatically followed by disenfranchisement. Most […]

Languages: English

Multimedia

Podcast: The Dutch experience − innovating practice to support foreign national prisoners

Worldwide more than a half a million foreign nationals are detained abroad. While entitled to assistance under international law, in practice only a few countries provide assistance to their nationals. One of these is The Netherlands. However, uniquely, as well as assistance provided by diplomatic staff, Dutch citizens detained abroad can also receive regular visits from ex-patriate […]

Languages: English

Public Statement

Joint statement on the death penalty for drug offences

PRI delivered a statement to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs against the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences. The statement calls for mention of the death penalty in the outcome document and highlights that executions for drug offences go against international human rights standards. It was delivered on […]

Languages: English

Submission

Joint Statement at the Human Rights Council on HIV/AIDS in prison settings, March 2016

PRI and the Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers) submitted this joint statement at the plenary panel at the 31st regular session of the Human Rights Council on addressing human rights issues in the context of efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 (one of the Sustainable Development Goals). The statement highlights challenges around HIV/AIDS […]

Languages: English

Training

Women in Detention: putting the Bangkok Rules into practice (e-course)

Who are the women in prison – what are their backgrounds, how did they end up in prison? How does prison impact women differently than men? Why do women prisoners have higher rates of mental health issues? How can prisons respond to these? These are some of the questions that PRI’s free e-course on women […]

Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian

Multimedia

Podcast: How to build a prison compliant with human rights norms

To fill the gap between international norms and the relative lack of information on how to build a compliant prison in difficult circumstances, UNOPS recently developed a Technical Guidance for Prison Planning document that facilitates a human rights-based approach in the development of prison infrastructure. This blog post by Gordon Nuttall and Pedja Jurisic (UNOPS) […]

Languages: English