Given the theme of this year’s annual conference, “Humane Corrections: What more can we do”, this keynote speech by Penal Reform International’s Executive Director, Olivia Rope, will reflect on what humanity in criminal justice means in practice. Olivia will give an assessment of the state of the world’s prisons, drawing on the organisation’s annual flagship publication, Global Prison Trends, and lessons learnt from their 30+ years working with professionals and systems at all levels across 90 countries on penal reform.

 

The presentation will include an overview of what PRI sees as the most pressing, emerging challenges in delivering humane corrections and both the shared challenges and disparate capacities to overcome them between the most sophisticated, resourced systems and those operating in low resource, fragile or conflict-affected states.

 

Olivia’s keynote will explore what is involved in building systems where rehabilitation and social reintegration upon return to the community is meaningful and effective in transforming lives. She will share some insights and recommendations on how to create and sustain criminal justice systems, including prisons, that are truly humane, with human rights front and centre.