Briefing
Girls are one of the most vulnerable groups involved in criminal justice systems because of their age, gender and small numbers. Relatively little is known or understood about offending by girls, their specific needs whilst in detention, or about what is effective in terms of gender-sensitive rehabilitation and social reintegration measures. This paper examines the specific challenges faced […]
Languages: Chinese, English
Report
In 2013, PRI commissioned a detailed survey of public opinion about crime, punishment and the death penalty in Belarus. Market researchers, Satio, conducted the survey, interviewing 1,000 participants. The results show that opinions around capital punishment are more varied and nuanced than is often stated, while public attitudes about crime in general are strongly affected […]
Languages: English, Russian
Submission
This submission to the 51st session of the UN Committee against Torture focuses on the use of the death penalty and life imprisonment in Belarus, on prison monitoring, and on due process related (primarily) to death penalty-applicable cases. It highlights ongoing concerns over the continued use and execution of the death penalty in Belarus; the extremely […]
Languages: English
Report
International standards and good practice insist upon separate criminal justice systems for children under the age of 18. Jordan’s current juvenile justice legislation contains a number of gaps, including no provision or legal basis for specialised juvenile police, alternatives to detention, or independent monitoring mechanism to inspect children’s detention facilities. A new juvenile justice law […]
Languages: English
Briefing
Prison officers come into contact with prisoners on a daily basis and have almost absolute power over detainees who rely on them for their basic needs. The way prison officers perceive their working conditions how they are treated by managers and colleagues has a significant impact on the atmosphere in detention and the treatment of […]
Languages: English, French, Georgian, Russian, Spanish
Briefing
While they may sometime be a necessary measure to provide security and order in a custodial setting (eg to prevent inter-prisoner violence or escape), instruments of restraint pose a high risk for torture or other ill-treatment due to their highly intrusive nature and the risk of causing injury, pain and/or humiliation. They may even be […]
Languages: English, French, Russian, Spanish
Briefing
Pre-trial detention is a high risk situation for torture and ill-treatment. Pre-trial detention increases the risk of a confession being coerced by torture and confession and exposes detainees – still innocent until proven guilty – to violence and abuse from guards or other prisoners. High rates of pre-trial detention contribute to overcrowding, which in turn […]
Languages: English, French, Georgian, Russian, Spanish
Briefing
While a legitimate security measure under certain circumstances, body searches also represent a high-risk situation for abuse, ill-treatment and even torture; they may also be used to intimidate, harass, retaliate or discriminate. This Factsheet: lists the relevant international standards identifies types and situations of risk provides checklists of questions that monitoring bodies can ask for […]
Languages: English, French, Russian, Spanish
Briefing
CCTV can be important safeguard against torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty when used appropriately. However, without policies to regulate it use and proper systems for maintenance and storage, it will not only be ineffective at preventing abuse but can also infringe detainees’ right to privacy and confidentiality. This Factsheet: lists the […]
Languages: English, French, Russian, Spanish
Training
Children in conflict or contact with criminal justice or welfare agencies either as children in need of protection, children at risk, on arrest, during trial, in detention or as victims and witnesses, are often in a vulnerable position, unaware of their rights or unable to enforce them. How these children are treated by the system […]
Languages: Arabic, English, Russian