PRI: A few weeks back, Penal Reform International’s Executive Director, Olivia Rope, addressed a high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly marking the tenth anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules.

The debate, themed “A second chance: addressing the global prison challenge”, comes at a time of mounting instability worldwide.

Armed conflicts are intensifying, inequality is widening, and yet prison populations continue to rise. The Mandela Rules, adopted by the UN to set minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, provide a clear framework for upholding human dignity even in the most difficult contexts. Decades of evidence also show what works in reducing harm and building fairer justice systems.

Yet progress has been slow.

Rope outlined five key reflections drawn from the UN debate and Penal Reform International’s work globally. Together, they highlight the urgent need for evidence-based reforms that prioritise rehabilitation, alternatives to imprisonment, and protection of human dignity.

The anniversary of the Mandela Rules is a reminder that global standards exist, but without political will and practical implementation, rights remain on paper.

As Olivia Rope emphasised, now is the moment for governments to turn commitments into action.

Read full article: Second chances – Five takeaways from the UN General Assembly debate on global prison challenges.