Guidelines on creating a brand of prison products launched by UNODC this week
November 27, 2019

Guidelines on creating a brand of prison products launched by UNODC this week

Penitentiary systems around the world are increasingly adopting prisoner rehabilitation initiatives as they attempt to reduce crime in their communities. Not only are rehabilitated prisoners less likely to reoffend, to fall back into criminal activities or to endanger society, but they also are more likely to become financially self-sufficient if they have been trained in a discipline or trade which they can continue to practice once liberated.

Various rehabilitation educational and vocational programmes are being applied in different prison systems, including some of those supported by UNODC. In addition to these types of rehabilitative exercises, there are other common schemes in which prisoners are employed during their sentence, producing goods that are usable within the prison and also marketable outside.

Jericho’s first batch of electrical installations certified prisoners graduate
November 21, 2019

Jericho's first batch of electrical installations certified prisoners graduate

The pace of prisoner rehabilitation programmes is gaining traction around the world, with more penitentiary systems looking for ways to better prepare prisoners for reinsertion into society after completing their sentence. Such programmes not only contribute to helping prisoners become financially independent upon release, but have also been proven to reduce the possibility of recidivism.

This month, nine male prisoners proudly received their diplomas for Electrical Installations, after successfully completing the first advanced Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) at the Jericho Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in the State of Palestine. 

Is 'Open Justice' Possible?
November 11, 2019

Is 'Open Justice' Possible?

In Argentina, the justice system is going through a crisis of trust and legitimacy. One of the reasons for this crisis is that access to justice presents numerous difficulties that are aggravated by the lack of public policies that strengthen transparency, accountability and citizens' participation in the judiciary.

In line with the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and the provisions for its implementation, we believe that public confidence in the justice system is of the utmost importance in a modern and democratic society. It is also essential that judges honour jurisdictional functions and actively work to promote transparency in the judiciary.

Therefore, it is our duty to echo the citizens' claims and to set out concrete actions to create a new way of administering justice in our country.

Hacking for justice, impressive young coders compete at World Bank global hackathon
November 8, 2019

Hacking for justice, impressive young coders compete at World Bank global hackathon

After spending two days in a closed space designing a computer programme, most people would look and feel exhausted; but for 25 secondary school students who had come to Washington, D.C. this week to do just that, no amount of fatigue could begin to overshadow the excitement and sense of achievement they felt.

Invited to the event by the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative (a component of the UNODC's Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration) to participate in a special hackathon co-organized with the World Bank and Africa Teen Geeks, these students came from Bulgaria, India, Mexico, South Africa and Tunisia to develop software solutions to one of six challenges posed by the organizers, revolving around Sustainable Development Goal 16 (targeting peace, justice and strong institutions) and rule of law.

From Washington, UNODC launches guidelines to uphold judicial integrity in the age of social media
November 6, 2019

From Washington, UNODC launches guidelines to uphold judicial integrity in the age of social media

The application of rights combined with technology can do wonders for international development, but only when used properly. With technology having become so ubiquitous, and with its impact felt increasingly in numerous development fields, it was chosen as the theme of this year's annual  Law, Justice and Development Week hosted by the  World Bank. To better understand the current development climate and how technology impacts it, 165 organizations and some 200 speakers are debating numerous ramifications of technology over 67 sessions during the weeklong conference at the World Bank's Washington, D.C. headquarters.