Irish Penal Reform Trust

International News

"Arizona Prison Crisis: A Call for Smart on Crime Solutions", by Families Against Mandatory Minimums

11th May 2004

In an in-depth analysis of the impact of Arizona's sentencing laws finds that the state's rigid mandatory sentencing laws fill prison cells and cost millions while doing little to enhance public safety.

"Mistreatment of Prisoners Is Called Routine in U.S." by Fox Butterfield, New York Times

8th May 2004

Physical and sexual abuse of prisoners, similar to what has been uncovered in Iraq, takes place in American prisons with little public knowledge or concern, according to corrections officials, inmates and human rights advocates.

Open Detention Facilities to Stop Torture, says Human Rights Watch

6th May 2004

The U.S. government should allow human rights organizations to monitor detention facilities in Iraq and elsewhere in order to bring a stop to the mistreatment of prisoners, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today.

"Prisoner Wins 'Slopping Out' Case: The Scottish Executive is facing huge compensation claims after a judge ruled that "slopping out" in jails amounted to degrading treatment.

26th April 2004

In a judgement to be delivered later on Monday, Lord Bonomy has awarded £2,400 to a prisoner at Barlinnie Jail in Glasgow. The inmate claimed that the practice, where prisoners use buckets in their cells, breached his human rights. Scotland's prisons watchdog demanded an end to the practice last October.

Portugal: Report recommends needle exchange or safe injection sites in prisons

22nd April 2004

A report released in late 2003 by Portugal's Justice Ombudsman (Provedor de Justiça) recommends that Portugal set up needle exchange programs or safe injection sites in prisons. Article by Ralf Jurgens, Canadian HIV/AIDS Policy & Law Review. Publication of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.

"UN Human Rights Commission Seeks End To Executions" - AP

21st April 2004

The top United Nations human rights body on Wednesday urged governments worldwide to declare a moratorium on executions. In a 29-19 vote, the U.N. Human Rights Commission backed a resolution submitted by European countries that called for the global suspension of the death penalty as the first step to eliminating its use.

"Prison voting going smoothly" - South African Press Association

14th April 2004

Pretoria - Voting in prisons around the country went smoothly, said the Correctional Services Department on Wednesday.

New Report: Census Should Count Prisoners in Communities, Not Prisons

8th April 2004

650,000 return home each year without adequate services in their communities because inaccurate data deprives communities of public funding and misinforms policymakers, says new report from the Brennan Center for Justice.

European Court of Human Rights Decision Upholds Prisoner Voting Rights

30th March 2004

In the case of Hirst v. The United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that denying prisoners the right to vote was in breach of Article 3 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This ruling struck down a UK law that denies serving prisoners the right to exercise their franchise in national elections.

"Safer Tattooing Pilot Projects Initiated in Canadian Prisons to Fight the Spread of Hepatitis C" - CBC

29th March 2004

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is planning to set up tattoo parlours in six federal prisons this year. Health officials hope the parlours will reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including hepatitis C.

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