Abstract:
With an ever-increasing focus on human rights to deal with violations
and atrocities across the world, prisoners and their rights are left by
the wayside too often. While deprivation of liberty is expected upon
incarceration, prisoners are still entitled to certain basic and universal
human rights. Despite this, and despite the international community
having a set of standard rules, popular opinion and general vindictive
behaviour sees prisoners being stripped of their basic human rights.
Not only should these rights be afforded to them based on principles of
justice, but if rehabilitation is to be rightly effected, then it is essential
that standards for the treatment and conditions of detention of prisoners
exist – and that these standards are enforced, and not just suggested.
As such, a justice system which reacts to violations is inefficient, and the
minimum standards in place, which are more like guidelines, need to be
replaced by a proactive system and by mandatory international standards
that can be effected in any State despite circumstance or resources. Such
will result in a prison system that not only maintains and encourages
the humanity in prisoners, allowing them to re-enter society, but also
humanises society itself.
