“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
Nelson Mandela
UNICRI celebrated the Nelson Mandela International Day by reaffirming the critical need for prison reforms and the establishment of humane conditions for prisoners and their families. Our commitment extends to supporting rehabilitation through innovative programs focused on digital innovation and environmental sustainability in prisons.
Nelson Mandela, affectionately known as Madiba, spent 27 years imprisoned for his stand against the apartheid regime. Throughout his incarceration under harsh conditions, Mandela's resolve never wavered, and his leadership continued to inspire those around him. Following his release, he played an instrumental role in the abolition of apartheid and became South Africa's first democratically elected president. This journey from a political prisoner to a national leader remains a powerful narrative of resilience and determination.
In recognition of Mandela’s profound impact, we also emphasize the importance of adhering to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoner (the Mandela Rules) that advocate for the respectful treatment of all prisoners, underscoring the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment, and promote access to educational and vocational training to aid in the effective reintegration of prisoners into society.
Globally, criminal justice systems are grappling with the challenge of effectively rehabilitating prisoners to reduce recidivism and enhance community safety. Promising developments in digital technologies offer new avenues for delivering rehabilitation programs and flexible, effective prison-based interventions. However, the adoption of such technologies must maintain a balance between digital and face-to-face interactions, ensuring the protection of human rights and ethical standards.
Since its inception, UNICRI has been actively engaged in justice and prison reform. Over the last years, the Institute has focused on the rehabilitation of violent extremists. Furthermore, in collaboration with the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) and with support from the Government of Japan, UNICRI is exploring the potential benefits of digital technologies for prisoner rehabilitation.
Together with Penal Reform International (PRI), UNICRI has launched the "Green Prisons Research Initiative," a comprehensive project aimed at exploring and promoting sustainable environmental practices within prisons. This initiative seeks to enhance rehabilitation opportunities for prisoners while supporting broader social and ecological benefits.
UNICRI is also conducting a research project on "Analysis of Lone Attacks as a Challenge for P/CVE from a Comparative Perspective" to analyze the emerging problem of incidents by lone attackers who plan, prepare, and strike without direction from specific organizations. This project explores measures to prevent crime and harm caused by lone attackers and also consider deterrent measures which are needed to be taken inside prisons while they are serving their sentences in order to prevent them from committing similar crimes again.
We believe that prisons should be environments where inmates can rehabilitate and prepare for a renewed chance at life. However, in many countries, prisons are places of despair, where individuals lose hope and faith in a just society. It is crucial to view prisons not just as places of confinement but as facilities where individuals can transform their lives.
Mandela once said: "It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build."
We continue to draw inspiration from his words and deeds as we push forward with our mission to support the reform of prison systems.
