Correctional Services
Over ten million people are passing their day behind prison walls, right now. While some inmates can take advantage of education, training, socialization in the safety of well-run confinement, others find themselves in conditions that violate even basic human rights standards. Prisons that observe human rights standards nurture safety and stability within communities, and inspire people to respect local governments and laws. It is our goal to help prisons around the worldoperate safely and efficiently toachieve basic human rights standards, so that dignity can be restored in lives shattered by criminal activity.
A Basic Standard for All
Effective Correctional
Services Management
Clear and effective correctional services management, policies and procedures are needed to sustain and safe and fair environment for all. Training, capacity building and strategic implementation of such systems is needed to impact lasting service improvement at all levels.
Respect and Dignity
Prisoners should be treated without discrimination based on race, colour, gender, political opinions, status or religious beliefs. Prisoners with disabilities are equally respected and have access to the same facilities as the other prisoners.
Decent Living Conditions
The provision of formal training to law enforcement agencies and government regulatory agencies strengthens the capacities of criminal justice institutions to detect, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate drug trafficking and related organized crime cases.
Health
Prison accommodation must have enough space, light, heating and ventilation, sanitation is adequate, and prisons are clean. Prisoners should be able to wash and keep groomed, and they have enough clothing.
Humane Discipline
Order is maintained in a way that’s fair, and no harsher than is absolutely necessary. Administrators should use conflict prevention and mediation techniques wherever possible. Prolonged solitary confinement is cruel and unnecessary.
Knowing Your Rights
Prisoners must be informed about the prison rules, their rights, how to lodge complaints, and any other details they’ll need to adapt to prison life. They should be allowed to make uncensored complaints to prison inspectors, and complaints must be dealt with promptly.
Life-long Improvement
Prisoners benefit fromaccess to education, training and a library stocked with entertaining and educational books. Sentenced prisoners should be allowed to work normal hours, and education provided. Prisoners should be treated in a way that grows self-respect and a sense of responsibility and learn the skills to live a law-abiding, self-supporting life after they are released.
