Prisons have become a fragile link in many criminal justice systems, weakened by over-incarceration, overcrowding, poor conditions and chronic neglect – fuelling calls for urgent reform.
A decade ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the Nelson Mandela Rules — a set of 122 guidelines setting minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, inspired by one of the world’s most influential former political prisoners – the South African civil rights icon, Nelson Mandela.
These rules aim to ensure safety, security and respect for human dignity, offering clear benchmarks for prison staff.
Despite this, prison systems worldwide continue to face deep-rooted challenges. The General Assembly convened on Friday to discuss how to better protect societies from crime by focusing on rehabilitation and preparing inmates for life after prison.
I think prisons have to be reformed in almost every country, including my own (Canada). Prison should fill one or both of these roles:
My point that i want to make is that the punishment should not exceed simply limiting freedom. Prison should protect prisoners from violence. Prison should allow prisoners to live fulfilling lives while there in prison. Prison rape should not be a fact of life in prison. Prison should not dehumanise prisoners. Prison should guard all rights of prisoners (apart from freedom of movement). Prisoners can’t be forced to do work or even follow a routine. Etc.
Unfortanutely, it seems things are so fucked up that not many have time to seriously fight for prisoner’s rights (including me).