Since 1991, Penal Reform International (PRI) has worked across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to advance fair, effective, and rights-based criminal justice systems that uphold human dignity. Through its regional office in Amman, PRI has delivered programming in Algeria, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan, and Palestine, and cooperated with partners in Mauritania and Saudi Arabia. Operating in both stable and conflict-affected settings, PRI collaborates with ministries of justice and interior, prison administrations, civil society and justice sector professionals to strengthen the rule of law and promote access to justice for all.
Our work in the region addresses systemic challenges, including prison overcrowding, gaps in legal aid, gender-based violence and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups in detention. PRI supports justice reform through technical assistance, legal and policy development, capacity building, and strategic advocacy. Programmes also promote environmental sustainability in justice systems, including the development of green prison infrastructure and climate-resilient facilities. Rooted in international human rights standards, PRI’s approach contributes to sustainable justice sector transformation that leaves no one behind.
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PRI at the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
PRI will take part in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 26 September to 1 October 2026. As well as participating in the plenaries and programme, PRI is co-organising ancillary (side) events, bringing together Member States, UN entities, civil society and […]
Annual Report
Annual report 2025
PRI's Annual Report 2025 highlights our work worldwide, with evidence-based programmes advancing fair, effective and human rights-based criminal justice systems.
Languages: English
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The Amsterdam Declaration issuing stark warning on prison crisis by civil society globally
Founding members of the Global Alliance of Civil Society on Prison Reform from 31 countries met in Amsterdam on 26-27 March 2026 to advance a shared vision to address the growing prison crisis impacting millions of people and societies across the world. Bringing together representatives of civil society including people with lived experience of imprisonment, […]