NCJ Number
145631
Date Published
1990
Length
29 pages
Annotation
The United Nations (UN) has adopted standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners that emphasize respect for personal dignity and humane prison conditions.
Abstract
The UN rules recognize that imprisonment gives member states an exceptional degree of authority and control over prisoners and that safeguards are needed to prevent abuse. The rules also recognize that imprisonment creates a potentially volatile environment that requires a high degree of professionalism on the part of prison staff. Special issues covered by the rules concern human rights, prison overcrowding, foreign prisoner transfer, medical services, discipline and punishment, prison work, education and vocational training, and treatment programs and personnel. In addition, the rules cover clothing and bedding, food, exercise and sports, restraints, prisoner complaints, contact with the outside world, books, religion, prisoner classification, privileges, social relations and aftercare, insane and mentally abnormal prisoners, prisoners under arrest or awaiting trial, and civil prisoners. Procedures governing application and implementation of the rules are described. The results of a survey of member states on rule implementation are provided.