NCJ Number
106207
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Incarceration of inmates in foreign jails is associated with serious problems. It causes confusion and physical and mental difficulties for the inmate and chaos and frustration for the family.
Abstract
Problems are further compounded by communication problems and neglect of nonnative clients by the country's lawyers. Conditions in many foreign prisons may be inhumane, physical and mental abuse is not uncommon, food may be unpalatable, and medical care nonexistent. In addition, cultural isolation can be extreme. The most promising method so far developed for dealing with these problems is the use of prison transfer treaties that allow prisoners to serve out their sentences in prisons in their native countries. Most treaties specify conditions of such transfers, and many require the consent of the sending state, the receiving state, and the inmate. In addition to alleviating administrative and humanitarian problems inherent in foreign incarceration, increasing use of inmate transfer treaties permits greater rehabilitation and social reintegration of inmates and improves international relations.