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Best Practice Principles and Guidelines

At ICPA, we firmly believe in the importance of promoting and supporting best practice principles and guidelines across the globe. These guidelines are essential to promoting the protection of human rights, ensuring the safety and security of people in prison and under community supervision, and improving the overall conditions of prisons and correctional facilities.  
 
ICPA holds United Nations (UN) consultative status for the advancement of professional corrections and supports global standards and guidelines to ensure that the rights and well-being of inmates are respected and protected. The ICPA has a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the UN, through the Office on Drugs and Crime. UNODC and ICPA are committed to the following themes: 
 
  • Investing into improving professionalism in prison- and community-based corrections. 
  • Advocating for evidence-based and human rights-compliant offender management.  
  • Fostering mutual participation in international events convened by the Parties. 
  • Facilitating the exchange of expertise in the context of field-based technical assistance. 
 
Standards and guidelines ICPA supports include: 
 
  1. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (also known as the Mandela Rules): These rules were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 and provide guidance on the treatment of prisoners, including issues such as health care, discipline, education, the use of force and restraints. 
  1. Bangkok Rules: These rules were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010 an provide guidance on the treatment of female prisoners, with a focus on issues such as health care, safety, and family contact. 
  1. European Prison Rules: These rules were adopted by the Council of Europe in 2006 and provide guidance on the treatment of prisoners, with a focus on issues such as health care, education, and vocational training. 
  1. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: This treaty, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966, sets out the basic rights of all individuals, including prisoners, and requires states to ensure that these rights are respected and protected. 
  1. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: This treaty, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1984, prohibits the use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and requires states to take measures to prevent such practices. 
  1. 2021 Kyoto Declaration on Advancing Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law: Towards the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promotes rehabilitative environments in the community to facilitate the social reintegration of offenders with the active involvement of local communities.  
Our commitment to promoting and supporting best practice principles and guidelines globally is unwavering. We encourage everyone to join us in this critical effort to protect the well-being of individuals worldwide.