Middle East and North Africa

Although efforts are being made across North Africa and the Middle East to ensure criminal justice systems reflect international standards and comply with human rights law, there are some significant challenges for reform.

These include prison overcrowding, delays in the trial process, poor coordination between criminal justice agencies, lack of resources and, in some countries of political will, and a lack of reliable data about prison systems.

PRI has been working in the region since 1991. The MENA programme is based in Amman, Jordan and currently operates in Algeria, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen.

Current work focuses on:

• developing gender-sensitive and child-friendly justice systems
• supporting the development and effectiveness of legal aid systems
• promoting non-custodial sanctions, particularly for vulnerable groups
• supporting countries to adopt national and integrated plans for reform
• building regional human resource capacity through networks of expertise
• promoting the abolition of the death penalty.