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Spotlight:
New guide on good governance for prisons during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
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Good governance is the cornerstone of effective prison management and a well-functioning justice system, and this sector should be subject to the same standards of accountability and effectiveness as other public sector agencies. Good governance can be measured by eight factors - 1. Participation 2. Rule of law 3. Transparency 4. Responsiveness 5. Consensus oriented 6. Equity and inclusiveness 7. Effectiveness and efficiency 8. Accountability.
This new guide by PRI is organised according to these key principles as they relate to governance within prison systems or within justice systems more broadly when it impacts prisons. It provides examples of how the eight principles of good governance have been specifically and successfully applied in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they might continue to be applied more effectively towards longer-term and sustainable reform. It is based on research into the COVID-19 justice response around the world, including a particular focus on the responses in Kenya and Kazakhstan.
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Call for information: Deaths in prison worldwide
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As part of a new programme of work to address the many human rights issues that arise with prison deaths, PRI is collecting information on deaths in prison from around the world. We are seeking information on numbers and causes of deaths in prisons, and state processes (if any) around deaths. If you can help us with providing information on this issue, see our survey here. We are asking for contributions by 15 April 2022.
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PRI at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
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This month, from 14-18 March, the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was held in Vienna and online to discuss the implementation of international drug control treaties and drug policy commitments. |
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On 17 March, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Drug Policy Consortium, PRI, the Permanent Missions of Canada, Ghana, Switzerland, United Kingdom, European Union, and UN body and NGO partners held a side event at the CND to discuss the recommendations provided in the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD)'s study on arbitrary detention relating to drug policies, and how to best implement them. Watch the recording here. |
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Conference on non-custodial measures in Central Asia
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On 25 March 2022, a regional conference on 'Application of alternative and non-custodial measures to imprisonment' was held in Tashkent. This event was organised by the authorised person of the parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan for human rights, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the support of PRI, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and UN bodies.
The discussions focused on supporting resocialisation and reintegration of people in prison and cooperation between the judiciary, probation authorities, national human rights institutions and local executive bodies in the implementation of alternative measures to imprisonment, as well as the role of national human rights institutions and public organisations in protecting the rights and interests of convicted persons.
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New blog on funding to support women in prison
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A recent explanatory report by Women Beyond Walls found that work with and for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls is critically underfunded. In this expert blog, Isabella Cordua and Sabrina Mahtani, co-founders of Women Beyond Walls, discuss funding gaps and how to mobilise resources to support women in prison and after release.
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Report on the impact of the pandemic on non-custodial measures - now in French
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COVID-19 has undoubtedly impacted the use and implementation of non-custodial sanctions and measures as well as preparation and support provided to those leaving prison. This summary comparative report on research across 21 EU Member States, first published in January 2022, is now available in English and French.
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